US08032943B2
A digital rights management system for the distribution, protection and use of electronic content. The system includes a client architecture which receives content, where the content is preferably protected by encryption and may include a license and individualization features. Content is protected at several levels, including: no protection; source-sealed; individually-sealed (or “inscribed”); source-signed; and fully-individualized (or “owner exclusive”). The client also includes and/or receives components which permit the access and protection of the encrypted content, as well as components that allow content to be provided to the client in a form that is individualized for the client. In some cases, access to the content will be governed by a rights construct defined in the license bound to the content. The client components include an object which accesses encrypted content, an object that parses the license and enforces the rights in the license, an object which obtains protection software and data that is individualized for the client and/or the persona operating the client, and a script of instructions that provides individualization information to a distributor of content so that the content may be individualized for the client and/or its operating persona. Content is generally protected by encrypting it with a key and then sealing the key into the content in a way that binds it to the meta-data associated with the content. In some instances, the key may also be encrypted in such a way as to be accessible only by the use of individualized protection software installed on the client, thereby binding use of the content to a particular client or set of clients.
US08032935B2
As a result of the inability to assign security in multiple applications at one time, there is an opportunity to tie the disparate security systems together. Security synchronization services is a method and apparatus that uses roles to provide a common administration experience for all applications that use it and fits better for new applications.
US08032934B2
The present invention discloses a network security system including a firewall arranged between the internal network and the external network, and a trusted node arranged between the firewall and the external network, which is used to provide a data channel between the internal network and the external network, and forward the data transported between the internal network and the external network; the firewall includes a first port configured at the internal network oriented side of the firewall and a second port configured at the external network oriented side of the firewall; and the trusted node includes a media-stream receiving port used to converge the data from the second port. The present invention also discloses a network security method.
US08032931B2
A user (e.g., a network administrator) can enter user verification information once for each switch on which the user desires to perform an administrative activity (e.g., ROM flash, reboot, etc.). Rather than having to enter the user verification information each time a switch is accessed for an administrative activity, the verification information is entered once and stored in non-volatile memory for subsequent use when accessing the switch.
US08032930B2
A system and method are provided for segregating access to dynamic content on multiple websites hosted by a web server. When a request is received for dynamic content from a website, a UserRetriever module identifies a path to the content and retrieves a username and password corresponding to the website, from a database that is separate from the web server and used for other purposes (e.g., billing). A UserImpersonator module requests a logon handle for that username from a logon cache manager. The logon handle is used to associate the request with the impersonated user account instead of the default anonymous user account with which the request was initially associated. The dynamic content is retrieved and served under the context of the restricted impersonated user account session, after which the applied logon handle is stripped off and the request is re-associated with the default anonymous user account.
US08032928B2
Methods, devices, and computer program products for controlling wireless network connection access are described. The device includes a processor for executing instructions, and multiple network adapters for operatively connecting to multiple networks. The device includes a wireless network connection monitoring application for controlling access to the multiple networks via the processor, and the monitoring application is configured to monitor the multiple network adapters. The device also includes a monitor file that has permissions for services to communicate on the multiple networks, and the monitoring application allows or denies access to the multiple networks via the plurality of network adapters based on the permissions for the services in the monitor file.
US08032923B1
A computer-implemented method for implementing URL (Uniform Resource Locator) filtering is disclosed. The method includes receiving an access request for a webpage from a client, the access request being transmitted from a gateway device via a computer network and including at least a portion of a URL for the webpage. The method also includes ascertaining a rating for the at least the webpage. The method additionally includes providing a response to the gateway device via the computer network, the response including the rating and at least a cache hint that includes at least directory block caching for caching in a directory block of a local cache, domain block caching for caching in a domain block of the local cache, and do-not-cache for not caching in the local cache.
US08032919B2
In a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, digital broadcast signals provided by a digital broadcast method are supplied to various types of external units and are effectively utilized. In the above apparatus, a descrambler descrambles a transport stream output from a front end unit and supplies it to a digital interface and a demultiplexer. The demultiplexer extracts from the transport stream a compressed video signal and a compressed audio signal of a program specified by a user, and supplies the extracted signals to an MPEG decoder. The MPEG decoder decompresses the supplied video signal and the audio signal and supplies them to the digital interface, an NTSC encoder, and an audio signal D/A converter. The digital interface supplies either of the transport stream or the decompressed data to a digital external unit under the control of the controller.
US08032913B1
A mechanism for booking events comprising an event broker, one or more event managers and one or more action handlers. In one embodiment, the event broker is configured to register a plurality of event bookings, each of which identifies an event and a corresponding action. For each event booking, the event broker notifies an event manager which is configured to detect the type of event identified in the event booking. When the event manager detects the identified event, it notifies the event broker. The broker then notifies an action handler which is configured to initiate the type of action identified in the event booking. The action handler then initiates the action. If the event booking is non-recurring and the action is complete, the event booking is unregistered by the event broker. The event broker is configured to work in conjunction with a plurality of event managers which can detect different types of events and a plurality of action handlers which can initiate different types of actions. The event broker is configured to resolve resource conflicts between actions for which the corresponding events have been detected. The event broker is further configured to control access to event bookings through a security system which can use privileges or credentials to identify clients which are authorized to read, modify, delete or otherwise access information contained in the event bookings.
US08032905B2
In a system and method for providing a television broadcast that displays different content for different viewers, a pool of content items, or particular items from a pool of content items, is integrated with a signal for a television program. The combined signal is transmitted or broadcast in any suitable way, such as by satellite, antenna, cable, or the like. Once the combined signal has been transmitted, or while the signal is being transmitted, different items from the pool of content items are displayed to different viewers. The items may be displayed to viewers during a broadcast of a pre-recorded television program. Rules may be integrated into the combined signal governing how and when items from the pool of content items are displayed. The rules may also govern which items from the pool of content items are displayed. A return channel may be provided so that a viewer may communicate to a content provider.
US08032898B2
Described herein are one or more implementations that separate kernel interfaces functions into those that act on kernel objects owned by a process and accessed exclusively by that process—described herein as local kernel objects—from access to kernel objects owned by a process and accessible by other active processes.
US08032889B2
A method for reducing power consumption and heat generation in a computer system employs a substitute idle task that puts the processor into a dormant mode, e.g., sleep, nap, or doze mode. The substitute idle task replaces a conventional operating system idle task. The substitute idle task may have a low priority, such as that of the conventional idle task, which it replaces. At each occurrence of a quantum interrupt, a task scheduler schedules applications for execution during the accompanying time slice. After the scheduled applications are done, the substitute idle task is executed. The dormant mode caused by the idle task reduces the system's power consumption. The idle task may also have a high priority and be designed to run for a predetermined percentage of time. Because the processor spends the predetermined percentage of time in the dormant mode, known power consumption reduction may be guaranteed in the system.
US08032885B2
A computer readable medium storing executable instructions includes executable instructions to: receive a continuous stream of database transactions; form batches of database transactions from the continuous stream of database transactions; combine batches of database transactions with similar operations to form submission groups; identify dependencies between submission groups to designate priority submission groups; and apply priority submission groups to a database target substantially synchronously with the receipt of the continuous stream of database transactions.
US08032881B2
The invention relates to an electronic device and a method for updating firmware in a number of electronic devices connected to a data network. First, a firmware in a first electronic device of said plurality of electronic devices is configured. Then, a firmware update file is generated in said first electronic device, based upon said configured firmware by using a firmware update file generator. Next, the firmware update file is transmitted from the first electronic device to a number of electronic devices via a data network. Finally, the firmware is updated in the number of electronic devices by executing said firmware update file in each of the electronic devices.
US08032879B2
A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software includes operating system architecture that calls for different tasks to be broken down into software modules that are connected to one another by dynamic links or are composed of executable subroutines that have main dependence links to other parts of the operating system. Each of the modules is composed of object files or libraries that are represented by dynamic link libraries among themselves according to a number of dependence levels that are described in their respective attributes.
US08032878B2
In a data reprogramming system, a receiving unit receives a plurality of items of data for use in reprogramming. The plurality of items of data are sent to the receiving unit. The plurality of items of data are respectively attached with the same identifier. A data extracting unit verifies the received plurality of items of data and extracts at least one item of the data as validated data upon determination that the at least one item of the data meets a predetermined rule against at least one remaining item of the data based on the verified result.
US08032876B2
Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for restructuring a software program hierarchy having interface files and implementation files that include the interface files are described. In one example, dependencies between program units in the interface files and the implementation files are determined. The dependencies are represented as a plurality of bit strings. Correlated bitstrings of the plurality of bit strings are clustered into a plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of partitions is transformed into corresponding program units. New interface files are respectively created having the corresponding program units for each of the plurality of partitions.
US08032874B1
From source code specification of each of a plurality of threads, those variables of a data structure referenced by the thread are determined. For each thread, a respective adaptation of the source code specification of the data structure is generated. Each adaptation includes only variables of the data structure that are referenced in the respective thread. The source code specifications of the threads are compiled into respective object code segments using the respective adaptations of the data structures. Each object code segment requires memory space for the data structure for only those variables included in the respective adaptation. The source code specification of the data structure describes a network packet, and the respective object code segments are configured to operate on the respective portions of the network packet stored in separate memories while executing on respective processors.
US08032872B2
To execute legacy smart card applications in a next generation smart card environment, a mechanism converts the applications into a format executable by the next generation smart card platforms. For instance, in a Java-based environment, a normalizer tool translates a CAP file into a Java Class file. Additional mechanisms recreate, on next generation smart cards, a specialized environment that allows the legacy applications to execute without impacting legacy and non-legacy application performance. For example, mechanisms create new instances of previously shared objects so that legacy applications can continue to expect exclusive access to those objects. Moreover, mechanisms manage the communication between a legacy application and non-legacy applications by controlling how and when calls are sent to the legacy application.
US08032870B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for transacting accesses via unmanaged pointers in a transactional memory system. A transactional memory system is provided. Source code is analyzed to identify operations that create unmanaged pointers. Information is tracked about the targets of unmanaged pointer values in pointer variables. The target information is used to determine how accesses through an unmanaged pointer argument are to be transacted. When an unmanaged pointer is created, a descriptor of the target with the resulting pointer value is associated with the location. Within the method that creates the unmanaged pointer, the target can be identified using the descriptor, thereby enabling accesses to be transacted. When an unmanaged pointer is being passed as an argument, a descriptor is also passed as an argument to allow the unmanaged pointer target to be identified.
US08032869B2
Information on an execution status of an information-collection target program is collected with an interrupt handler that is activated by an interrupt generated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A target range for collecting the information with the interrupt handler is specified, and information to be collected by the interrupt handler when the interrupt is generated within the specified target range is set.
US08032864B2
Software developers working on multi-language systems can utilize a multi-language debugging environment. The debugging environment can be uniform across languages, and can seamlessly perform debugging between one or more languages in a multi-language environment. Such a system can have a number of attributes intended to help developers facing debugging problems in multi-language environments. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.
US08032852B1
A method is provided to incorporate information currently known about an integrated circuit's design, including peripheral components that share the same printed circuit board (PCB) with the integrated circuit, to automate a clock signal instantiation and routing solution to realize a comprehensive design. The information derived from a hardware design synthesis tool includes the existence of PCB resources, such as fixed-frequency oscillators, that may co-exist with a particular integrated circuit, such as a programmable logic device (PLD). Other derived information includes details concerning clock modules and cores that may exist within the PLD in accordance with the PLD's design specification. Once the information that describes the PLD and its environment is known, the information is utilized to automatically instantiate resource interconnect cores and automatically generate connections between the fixed-frequency oscillators, resource interconnect cores, and PLD implemented cores that are contained within the design.
US08032837B2
A system and method of controlling user interface features of a web application is provided. The system comprises a collection of user interface control elements, a collection of skin templates comprising extensible markup language based markup contained as children of a container element, and a collection of control element instructions for performing actions associated with the control elements. Each control element comprises a namespace, common attributes for defining graphical features of the control element and for associating the control element with the internal state of the core control element, other attributes for defining attributes that affect the intrinsic behavior of the control, and a skin template reference attribute for referencing a skin template. Each instruction is associated with a control element.
US08032836B2
A method and apparatus for customizing a graphical user interface on a multifunction peripheral is provided. User interface specification data is transmitted from a device to the multifunction peripheral. User interface specification data defines a desired display and operation behavior for the user interface. Result data is received at the device from the multifunction peripheral. Result data defines whether the user interface was updated to reflect the user interface specification data. Other aspects provide for copying the graphical user interface from a source multifunction peripheral to a destination multifunction peripheral, scheduling a point in time to update one or more graphical user interfaces to reflect the user interface specification data, and establishing a number of uses to apply the user interface specification data to the one or more user interfaces.
US08032828B2
A method and system for the transformation of extensible markup language (XML) documents. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method comprising modeling a source XML document corresponding to a source schema as a source tree having a plurality of source nodes, and modeling a target XML document corresponding to a target schema as a target tree having a plurality of target nodes. A sequence of transformation operations that transforms the source tree to the target tree is then generated.
US08032823B2
In various embodiments, a method for processing a user request is provided. The method may include receiving input data from a user including at least natural language associated with a user request; analyzing the user input data with an intermediary agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the user input data; and, executing at least one update based on at least one form.
US08032821B2
This disclosure relates to a method and system of processing chain calculations in spreadsheet applications utilizing multiple processors, each having a separate recalculation engine. A single calculation chain may be reordered into a unified chain where supporting and dependent formulas are organized into a tree hierarchy of child chains. The unified chain is further divided into dependency levels, where entries in each dependency level may be moved to a next dependency level during reordering. If an entry within a dependency level is dependent upon another entry not found within its own child chain, the unified chain is ordered such that an entry is only dependent upon an entry in a prior dependency level. Further, dependency levels allow a control thread to perform control-thread-only operations while maintaining multi-thread processing capabilities.
US08032820B1
A system for displaying, on a computer screen, information concerning the interrelationships of documents. A system employing the present invention also allows for the efficient research of documents that cite a document shown on the computer screen. In one embodiment, the present invention involves displaying at least a portion of a first document and simultaneously displaying a representation of one or more citing documents. The citing documents cite some portion of the displayed document. In another embodiment, the invention involves displaying at least a portion of a first document, and displaying a representation of one or more citing documents, wherein the displayed citing documents cite the displayed portion of the first document.
US08032814B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling writing and reading of data in an array of A storage fields of a probe-based data storage device in which data is written to and read from the array of storage fields by a corresponding array of probes. One method provides error-tolerance by exploiting the inherent parallelism of the probe storage array. A user data block to be written to the A-field array is first coded to produce a plurality of C-byte codewords, such that r·C=k1A where r is the number of codewords and k1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A sub-blocks of k1 bytes are produced from the codewords by selecting successive bytes of each sub-block cyclically from the r codewords. The A sub-blocks are then written via respective probes to the corresponding storage fields of the storage field array.
US08032807B2
A scan control method for a circuit device connected with a first bus and having a test access port controller, including setting information indicating a register to be scanned in the circuit device, a number of scan shifts and a scan start via a second bus different from the first bus, and generating based on the information set, by using a sequencer, a signal replacing a test mode signal and a test reset signal transferred via the first bus during testing of the circuit device, and supplying the signal to the test access port controller.
US08032805B1
Integrated circuits may include at least an instruction processor and input-output subsystems. Each input-output subsystem includes a wrapper circuit a wrapper circuit controlled by the instruction processor. The wrapper circuit includes two or more scan registers, where a data value stored in each scan register can be shifted out for analysis. The wrapper circuit also includes two or more update registers to transfer stored data values between itself and an associated scan register. The wrapper circuit also includes a set of combinatorial logic coupled to the scan registers, the update registers and the instruction test processor, wherein at least two I/Os of the plurality of I/Os but less than all of the plurality of I/Os couple to an external tester.
US08032804B2
Systems and methods are disclosed herein, including those that operate to monitor a first set of operational parameters associated with a memory vault, to adjust a second set of operational parameters associated with the memory vault, and to perform alerting and reporting operations to a host device.
US08032803B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a memory collar including a memory cell configured to store a written data pattern and read and output the data pattern, and a register configured to store a failed data pattern, and a built-in self test circuit configured to write the data pattern in the memory cell, output expected value data, and decide whether to continue a test or suspend the test to output failure information to outside, based on a comparison result of the data pattern outputted from the memory cell and the expected value data and a comparison result of the data pattern and the failed data pattern.
US08032796B2
A monitoring apparatus of a carrier is disclosed that includes a managing part that assigns a related carrier path ID to network configuration information and manages the related carrier path ID, the related carrier path ID uniquely defining a path span between the carrier and a related carrier; a receiving part that receives alarm information from a communications apparatus in the carrier, a selecting part that selects main cause alarm information from the alarm information; a determining part that determines whether the main cause alarm information affects the related carrier by determining whether the related carrier path ID is assigned to corresponding network configuration information in the main cause alarm information; and a transmitting part that transmits the main cause alarm information including the related carrier path ID and a generation location to the related carrier where the main cause alarm information is determined to affect the related carrier.
US08032795B2
A method for diagnosing communications includes sending a message from a sending node to a receiving node. The sending node detects an error in the receiving node receiving the message. A force log request is sent from the sending node to the receiving node, the force log request including a request for the receiving node to log information. A force log response is received from the receiving node at the sending node, the force log response including the logged information. The sending node diagnoses the communications error in response to the force log response.
US08032786B2
In cases where the system which performs service provision includes plural kinds of OS, the plural kinds of OS are operated simultaneously on one standby server provided with the virtual control unit. When a failure etc. occurred in the operation system server necessitates the system switchover from the operation system server to the standby server, the virtual control unit of the standby server distinguishes an operation system server in which the failure has occurred, and takes over the processing to the switching control unit on a suitable OS on the standby server.
US08032785B1
Disclosed are ways of providing a highly flexible high availability storage system. Disk drive carriers for insertion into enclosures in a storage system include several disk drives. The enclosures accept carriers that include drives of different sizes, and drives compatible with different storage technologies, for instance Fibre Channel, SATA, or SAS. Drives oriented in their carriers in a manner that allows them to be connected to a common medium via identical flex circuits that are configured based on the orientation of the drives. Redundant controllers include redundant serial buses for transferring management information to the carriers. The carriers include a controller for monitoring the multiple serial buses and producing storage technology specific management commands for the disk drives.
US08032782B2
A generic RAID engine system accepts an access request, accepts a metadata input comprising a layout description and, optionally, a plurality of resource optimization objectives, accepts a dynamic input comprising a dynamic state of an I/O stack comprising the generic RAID engine and a fault configuration of a plurality of storage devices in the I/O stack, and accepts RAID code input comprising information about the RAID code used by the I/O stack. The metadata input, the dynamic input, and the RAID code input are utilized to transform the access request into individual device reads and individual device writes such that RAID code relationships for the storage devices are maintained at all times. An optional optimizer module selects strategies that meet the resource optimization objectives.
US08032778B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to adjust power received by a clock distribution network at least partially based on operating conditions of an integrated circuit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08032771B2
A method of controlling power consumption of a power supply of a device may include receiving a control signal that switches the device between first and second modes of operation; and switching the supply between corresponding first and second modes based on the received signal, the supply being configured to draw different amounts of power in the first and second modes. A power supply for supplying electrical power to a device may include power supply mode circuitry configured to place the supply into one of at least two power modes: a first mode in which the supply draws a first amount of power and a second mode in which the supply draws less power. An electronic device may include circuitry that generates a control signal, based on which the power supply mode circuitry selectively places the electrical power supply into one of a plurality of power modes.
US08032770B2
A video processing apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The video processing apparatus includes: a processing unit which processes a video signal for display; a clock generating unit which generates a system clock for driving the processing unit and outputs the system clock to the processing unit; a power supply unit which supplies power to the processing unit; and a controller which counts a power supply time using a clock generated from the system clock. The controller compares the counted power supply time with a predetermined reference time, and controls power supplied to the processing unit from the power supply unit.
US08032766B2
A machine boot up protection structure for parallel power supply equipment provides a determination level to set the parallel power supply equipment in an ON condition. It has a control unit to receive a connection signal output by each of power supply units to compare with the determination level. If the comparison matches, all of the power supply units are activated to the ON condition. If the comparison does not match, all of the power supply units are set to an OFF condition. Thereby when the external power is not completely connected, some of the power supply units do not suffer from overloading and damaging.
US08032765B2
The present invention generally is directed to systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for securing sensitive information involved in database transactions. Embodiments of the present invention selectively encrypt only portions of transactions involving sensitive data, thereby reducing or eliminating the processing overhead resulting from wastefully encrypting non-sensitive data. The sensitive data may be identified by a document. The document may be accessed by a requesting entity to determine which portions of a query should be encrypted prior to sending the query to a database server over a network. The document may also be accessed by a database server to determine which portions of query results should be encrypted prior to sending the query results to the requesting entity over the network.
US08032753B2
Provided is a certificate transmission server transmitting a certificate stored in a fixed terminal to a mobile terminal, a system including the same, and a method using the same. The method includes forming a security channel to the mobile terminal and performing authentication of the mobile terminal, forming a security channel to the fixed terminal and performing authentication of the fixed terminal, and if the authentication of the mobile terminal and the fixed terminal is successful, receiving the certificate from the fixed terminal and transmitting the certificate to the mobile terminal. Accordingly, authentication of a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal can be performed by a certificate transmission server, and the certificate can be transmitted by establishing a safe communication channel.
US08032744B2
A method for proving the validity of a digital document digitally signed using a digital key that corresponds to a digital certificate in a chain of digital certificates issued by certification authorities within a hierarchy of certification authorities. At least one secure digital time stamp is applied to at least one record comprising the digital document, the digital signature, certificate chain data, and information relating to the revocation of certificates by certification authorities within the certificate chain. If, at some later time, one or more digital certificates either expire or are revoked, the timestamp serves as evidence of the integrity of the signed digital document.
US08032742B2
This application generally describes techniques for dynamically updating trusted certificates and CRLs, generally referred to herein as certificate information. That is, techniques are described for updating trusted certificates and CRLs without terminating existing communication sessions. An exemplary method includes the steps of receiving an initial configuration that includes a trusted certificate authority, receiving certificate information that includes a certificate revocation list (CRL) and a first certificate from the trusted certificate authority, storing the certificate information in the configuration, initiating a communication session for an application, receiving an update to the certificate information, and updating the configuration to reflect the update to the certificate information without terminating the communication session. A computing device may receive the update to the certificate information from a user, as well as receiving a command from the user to apply the update to the certificate information to current communication sessions.
US08032737B2
A system, apparatus and method for handling switching among threads within a multithread processor are described herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for multithread handling that includes fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to a first instruction execution thread, to an execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the first instruction execution thread and when the instruction execution thread is in an active mode. The method further includes switching a second instruction execution thread to the active mode when the cycle count corresponding to the first instruction execution thread is complete, and fetching and issuing one or more instructions, corresponding to the second instruction execution thread, to the execution block for execution during a cycle count associated with the second instruction execution thread. The method additionally includes resetting the cycle counts when a master instruction execution thread is in the active mode. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08032733B2
A storage controller calculates an access frequency of each logical disk; that is selects a first logical disk device of which the access frequency exceeds a first predetermined value, the first logical disk device being allocated to a first physical disk device; selects a second logical disk device which has the access frequency equal to or less than a second predetermined value, the second logical disk device being allocated to a second physical disk device; and reallocates the first and second logical device; and reallocates the first and second logical devices to the second and the first physical disk device, respectively.
US08032726B2
A remote copy system includes a plurality of first storage systems and a plurality of second storage systems. Each first storage system assigns a sequential number to write data received from the host and sends the write data with the sequential number to the second storage system. One of the first storage systems defers the processing of the write request received from the host and instructs each of the first storage systems to create a marker, whereupon each of the first storage systems defers the processing of the write request, creates a marker including a sequential number and having a marker number, and sends the marker to the second storage system. Each of the second storage systems, when receiving a marker from the first storage system, stores the marker number included in the marker. One of the second storage systems reads the marker number stored by each of the second storage systems and reports to each of the second storage systems the marker number of smallest value of the marker numbers which were thus read. Each of the second storage systems writes to a logical volume in sequential number order write data, of the write data received from the first storage system, that includes a sequential number of a value smaller than the sequential number of the marker including the marker number reported from one of the second storage systems.
US08032725B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism by which a server system executing a host application monitors utilization of overwrite reserve space on a volume storing application data. The server system executes space reservation policies to ensure that the volume cannot run out of space due to snapshot creation. In one implementation, the server system initiates deletion of backup datasets stored on the volume if certain criteria provided by a system administrator are met. If deleting backup datasets cannot not stop the volume from running out of space due to continuous snapshot creation, the server system prevents the host application from temporarily issuing I/O requests to the storage system until space is recovered. Preventing the host application from issuing I/O requests, rather than failing I/O requests by the storage system, eliminates undesirable consequences, such as loss of data and the need to perform data recovery.
US08032722B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes memory modules, a measuring module, a determination module, and a controller. The measuring module initializes the memory modules when the apparatus has been booted and an operating system of the information processing apparatus has not yet been started, measures a temperature of the memory modules at a time of the initialization, and measures a maximum temperature of each of the memory modules when the operating system is running. The determination module determines a first memory module, which has the least difference between the temperature at the time of the initialization and the maximum temperature at the time when the operating system is running, and a second memory module which has the lowest temperature at the time of the initialization. The controller maps memory addresses allocated to the first memory module in the second memory module, based on the temperatures.
US08032715B2
The data processor enhances the bus throughput or data throughput of an external memory, when there are frequent continuous reads with a smaller data size than the data bus width of the external memory. The data processor includes a memory control unit being capable of controlling in response to a clock an external memory having plural banks that are individually independently controllable, plural buses connected to the memory control unit, and circuit modules capable of commanding memory accesses, which are provided in correspondence with each of the buses. The memory control unit contains bank caches each corresponding to the banks of the external memory. Thereby, the data processor enhances the bus throughput or data throughput of the external memory, since the data processor stores the data read out from the external memory temporarily in the bank caches and to use the stored data without invalidating them, when performing a continuous data read with a smaller data size than the data bus width of the external memory.
US08032712B2
There is provided a storage system accessed by a host computer, comprising: an interface coupled to the host computer; a processor coupled the interface; a memory coupled to the processor; and a storage device for storing the data. The storage device comprises a first storage device in which the stored data is accessed sequentially from a beginning, and a second storage device in which the stored data can be accessed at random. The data stored in the first storage device is replicated to the second storage device, and the replicated data is accessed by the host computer. The processor receives a candidate of the data including a priority of the data from the host computer, and replicates the data included in the candidate of the data, and stored in the first storage device to the second storage device in accordance with the priority before reception of an access request.
US08032706B2
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for detecting a data access violation are described. In some embodiments, current memory access information related to a current memory access to a memory address by a current user thread may be obtained. It may be determined whether a cache includes a cache entry associated with the memory address. If the cache includes the cache entry associated with the memory address, then, an access history stored in the cache entry and the current memory access information may be analyzed to detect if there is at least one of an actual violation and a potential violation of accessing the memory address.
US08032705B2
In an embodiment of the invention, a dongle is configured for communication with an electronic device. The dongle includes a connector, a controller, a first memory and a second memory. The connector is for interfacing with the electronic device. The controller is for controlling the interface between the connector and the electronic device. The first memory includes a file system. The controller is configured to provide automatic recognition of the dongle and mounting of the file system to the electronic device by using the connector when the dongle interfaces with the electronic device. The second memory has data for automatic navigation to a predetermined location. The dongle is configured for automatic execution of an element of the file system.
US08032704B1
A method and apparatus for storing data on a computer data storage system are described. Two or more computers are coupled together to form a cluster of computers. One or more data storage devices are coupled to the two or more computers. One or more volumes of data storage devices are implemented on a plurality of computers of the two or more computers, where each volume is a logical arrangement of the one or more storage devices coupled to a selected computer of the plurality of computers. A data container holds data stored by the data storage system. The data container is striped over a plurality of the one or more volumes of data storage devices, whereby data stored in the data container is striped over a plurality of the volumes of data storage devices.
US08032694B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor mass storage system and architecture can be substituted for a rotating hard disk. The system and architecture avoid an erase cycle each time information stored in the mass storage is changed. Erase cycles are avoided by programming an altered data file into an empty mass storage block rather than over itself as a hard disk would. Periodically, the mass storage will need to be cleaned up. These advantages are achieved through the use of several flags, and a map to correlate a logical block address of a block to a physical address of that block. In particular, flags are provided for defective blocks, used blocks, and old versions of a block. An array of volatile memory is addressable according to the logical address and stores the physical address.
US08032691B2
A plurality of cells forming at least a portion of a hive of a data storage system may be capacity balanced by fragmenting a portion of at least one non-empty tile of one of the plurality of cells and moving the fragmented portion to another one of the plurality of cells. A plurality of cells forming at least a portion of a hive of a fixed content storage system may be capacity balanced by identifying at least one of the plurality of cells from which objects are to be moved, and for each of the at least one of the plurality of cells identified, determining a number of objects to be moved to another one of the plurality of cells, identifying one or more tiles that collectively have approximately the number of objects to be moved, and moving the one or more tiles to the another one of the plurality of cells.
US08032690B2
A non-volatile memory device, and a method for accessing the non-volatile memory device are provided. The non-volatile memory device is connected to a host via a bus. The non-volatile memory device comprises an MCU. By independently processing the particular commands using only the auxiliary circuit, the MCU can cease to operate, thus saving power. By setting the bus into power saving mode when the non-volatile memory device is busy, the host and the non-volatile memory device would not communicate mutually, thus, saving power.
US08032683B2
A data communication system includes a server apparatus and a cradle apparatus. The cradle apparatus includes a first communication section, a second communication section, a connection detection section, a notification control section, and a relay control section. The server apparatus includes a communication section, a data preparation section, and a communication control section.
US08032681B2
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes processors, signal storage circuitry, and processor selection logic. The signal storage circuitry is to hold willingness indication signals each indicative of a willingness level of an associated one of the processors to receive an interrupt and to hold priority indication signals each indicative of a processor priority level of an associated one of the processors, wherein there are multiple possible willingness levels and multiple possible processor priority levels. The processor selection logic is to select one of the processors to receive an interrupt based at least on the willingness indication signals. Other embodiments are described.
US08032676B2
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for communicating information between functional blocks of a system across a communication fabric. Rate logic may couple to the communication fabric. The rate logic is configured to determine a data bandwidth difference between a first data bandwidth capability of the sending device and the lower of 1) a second data bandwidth capability of the sending device or 2) a third data bandwidth capability of the communication fabric.
US08032665B2
A controller coupled to a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) includes a processor and a non-volatile memory element. The processor has an input/output port that is configurable in one of an open-drain driver configuration, a high-impedance driver configuration and a totem-pole driver configuration. The totem-pole driver configuration is capable of supplying sufficient current to operate a slave device coupled to the input/output port. Firmware stored in the non-volatile memory device dynamically adjusts the driver configuration to prevent negative voltage swings in a signal communicated via the input/output port.
US08032664B2
A flexible arrangement allows a single arrangement of Ethernet channel adapter (ECA) hardware functions to appear as needed to conform to various operating system deployment models. A PCI interface presents a logical model of virtual devices appropriate to the relevant operating system. Mapping parameters and values are associated with the packet streams to allow the packet streams to be properly processed according to the presented logical model and needed operations. Mapping occurs at both the host side and at the network side to allow the multiple operations of the ECA to be performed while still allowing proper delivery at each interface.
US08032661B2
In accordance with the automatic peripheral device sharing, a peripheral device that has been newly installed on a device is detected and is shared with one or more additional devices coupled to the device. A notification of the peripheral device is automatically published to the one or more additional devices. This notification includes an indication of how the one or more additional devices can access the peripheral device. Each of the one or more additional devices can receive this notification and determine whether the peripheral device can be automatically installed on that device without user input. For each of the one or more additional devices, the peripheral device is installed on that device only if the peripheral device can be automatically installed on that device without user input.
US08032655B2
A network interface controller includes a plurality of scatter gather circuits (104a-104d) connectable to a host via a bus (101). A packet buffer (112) is configured for communication with the scatter gather circuits (104a-104d). A plurality of access circuits (110a-110d) are configured to access external network connections. An optional forwarding engine (108) is selectable to generate routing information corresponding to data received via the access circuits (110a-110d) and to provide the routing information to the packet buffer (112).
US08032645B2
A coding apparatus generates coded data by coding inputted data in a predetermined unit basis, maps one or more units of the coded data onto a packet of fixed length and outputs the packet. The coding apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the coded data and outputs the data size of the stored coded data, and a packetization unit that maps the coded data stored in the storage unit onto the packet and outputs the header size assigned to the one or more units of the coded data and the payload size of the packet. The coding apparatus also includes a control unit that generates the control information based on the data size of the outputted coded data, the header size and the payload size and outputs the control information, and a coding unit that generates the coded data by calculating an outer candidate value that makes the data size of the coded data to be mapped onto the packet an integral multiple of the payload size of the packet based on the outputted control information and coding the predetermined units of inputted data up to the outer candidate value.
US08032639B2
A community translation service device for providing a translation service to a community of at least one source device is arranged to receive data traffic from a source device in the community. The traffic includes a native data session identifier and, as a source identifier, a source device identifier. The community translation service device comprises a translation component and a database for storing a pool of assigned data session identifiers associated with the source device. The translation component is arranged to translate the native data session identifier to an assigned data session identifier associated with the source device, the community translation service device further being arranged to forward the data traffic including the assigned data session identifier as data session source device information to a service aggregation device.
US08032637B2
A method, system, computer-readable storage medium and apparatus for balanced and consistent placement of resource management responsibilities within a multi-computer environment, such as a cluster, that are both scalable and make efficient use of cluster resources are provided. Embodiments reduce the time that a cluster is unavailable due to redistribution of resource management responsibilities by reducing the amount of redistribution of those responsibilities among the surviving cluster members. Embodiments further provide redistribution of resource management responsibilities based upon relative capabilities of the remaining cluster nodes.
US08032636B2
A method, computer program product, and system are disclosed for dynamically provisioning clusters of middleware appliances. In one embodiment, the method includes referencing a resource measurement from a plurality of middleware appliances. The middleware appliances process one or more service domains and the resource measurement includes processing resources consumed by each middleware appliance for each of the one or more service domains. The method may also include determining an implementation plan based on a performance goal and one or more resource calculations. The implementation plan specifies service domain instances to activate and service domain instances to deactivate on the plurality of middleware appliances. The method may also include dynamically enabling and disabling the service domain instances on the plurality of middleware appliances based on the implementation plan.
US08032626B1
A service monitor and a browser monitor determine performance metrics on both a server and a client in connection with a distributed application running on a network. While applicable to other types of distributed application data, an example is described in which a Web page is requested by a user running a browser program on the client computer. In response, the server transmits the requested Web page, along with JavaScript code that defines a browser monitor, to the client. A browser monitoring function controlled by this code determines a plurality of different performance metrics related to the access of Web pages by the client. In addition, the server monitor determines performance metrics specific to its function in providing the Web page to the client. A correlated performance metric is determined by combining a server performance metric with a browser performance metric.
US08032624B2
Methods, devices, and systems are provided for taking a pluggable extension and applying it to a unique set of a user population to handle their preferred and user-centric alerting relationships. More particularly, the pluggable extension allows a user to have their personalized contact resolution algorithm applied by a server to calls initiated by them or directed toward. The contact resolution algorithm is pluggable to any server and does not need to be built into the server itself. Moreover, multiple users can refer to and use the same pluggable contact resolution algorithm.
US08032621B1
A system displays a set of alerts in an alert view. Each alert indicates a problem associated with a managed resource operating in a storage area network. The system receives a selection of an alert from the alert view, and performs an analysis of managed resource data associated with the managed resource experiencing the alert to identify performance details concerning the alert in relation to the managed resource data. The system then presents the performance details associated with the alert in a performance view. The performance view includes a topology region identifying a location of the managed resource experiencing the alert within the storage area network, and a graph region identifying the alert in relation to managed resource data for the managed resource experiencing the alert.
US08032620B2
A system and a method for leveraging human knowledge held by system administrators to support improved or optimal management of an information technology network. The present invention monitors and records the states and values key management indicators related to actions taken by a human system administrator in improving a perceived sub-optimal state of the information technology network. The present invention predicts the effect of command in situations later occurring, and optionally suggests actions to a system administrator. The method of the present invention optionally enables embodiments of the present invention to automatically select one or more preferred system commands and execute the selected command or commands.
US08032617B2
Application setting virtualization for a user. Application settings from a source computer are copied to a user-specific location on a destination computer and layered under corresponding application settings associated with one or more applications installed on the destination computer. In response to receiving a request from an application for an application setting, the requested application setting is retrieved from the layered application settings such that the layers are searched in order for the requested application setting and the first application setting found is retrieved and returned to the requesting application.
US08032615B2
A method and system performs dynamic online multi-parameter optimization for autonomic computing systems. A simplex is maintained. The system's performance is measured for the particular setting of configuration parameters associated with each point in the simplex. A new sample point is determined using the geometric transformations of the simplex. A current best point in the simplex can be resampled to determine if the environment has changed. If a sufficiently different utility value is obtained from a previously sampled utility value for the point in the simplex, the simplex is expanded. If the difference is not sufficient enough, then contraction of the simplex is performed.
US08032611B2
A method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device is provided. It is detected that the data comprises an attachment. An address of a copy of the attachment is determined, the attachment present on a storage device external to the communication devices. An address of the copy of the attachment is substituted in the data such that the copy is retrievable at the second communication device via the address. The data is then transmitted to the second communication device.
US08032604B2
Multiple modules are provided, each one of which is configured to analyze email messages in a different manner than other ones of the modules. For a received email message, a plurality of the modules are used to determine one or more module outputs indicative of a level of sameness of the received email message with one or more prior email messages. At least two of the modules being used are each assigned a non-zero weight indicative of the performance level of the module. An overall level of sameness of the received email message with one or more prior email messages is determined by combining the module outputs of at least two of the plurality of modules using the non-zero weights assigned to the modules.
US08032601B2
A computer-based system for providing electronic monitoring and management services for an instant messaging (IM) user. The system can include a processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions. The system can also include an IM server, wherein the IM server accepts connections from one or more IM clients. Additionally, the system can include a bot program configured to execute on the processor. The bot program can be configured to receive a request from a first user to manage messages on behalf of the first user and further receive a token from the first user and a user name associated with the first user, wherein the first user is logged into the IM server via an IM client of the one or more IM clients. Also, the bot program can be configured to receive a notification indicating that the first user is logged off the IM server. Furthermore, the bot program can further be configured to utilize the token and the user name to log into the IM server on behalf of the first user upon receiving the notification. Moreover, the bot program can be configured to receive and store a message intended for the first user from a second user utilizing another IM client of the one or more IM clients.
US08032597B2
An enhancement to e-mail user interfaces and message formats includes a dynamic preview window to view and retrieve attachments and summaries of e-mail messages directly in the e-mail list view or inbox view without opening an e-mail message. The efficient viewing mechanism further allows previews without cluttering the listing of the e-mails in the inbox by allowing the client to detect special preview instructions within an e-mail and run executables within the preview window. The enhancement is applicable to standalone e-mail clients (POP or IMAP based) and to web-based e-mail systems.
US08032584B2
A computer-implemented method for performing inter-domain communication in a web browser includes receiving first data from a first domain at a router associated with one or more domains other than the first domain, identifying at the router the one or more domains for receiving data associated with the received data, and transmitting second data associated with the received data to the one or more domains.
US08032583B2
A network gateway device providing peer-to-peer proxy service is provided, including a P2P meta descriptor detector detecting an original P2P meta descriptor file from the public network, a P2P proxy control unit modifying the original P2P meta descriptor file to generate a modified P2P meta descriptor file, and forwarding the modified P2P meta descriptor file to a computer in the private network, an internal tracker receiving a first inquiry message, and replying with a pseudo sharing computer list, and a peer-to-peer engine loading the original P2P meta descriptor file to download shared contents, and forwarding the shared contents to the computer.
US08032582B2
A method and system is disclosed for providing a distributed technical computing environment for distributing technical computing tasks from a technical computing client to technical computing workers for execution of the tasks on one or more computers systems. Tasks can be defined on a technical computing client, and the tasks organized into jobs. The technical computing client can directly distribute tasks to one or more technical computing workers. Furthermore, the technical computing client can submit tasks, or jobs comprising tasks, to an automatic task distribution mechanism that distributes the tasks automatically to one or more technical computing workers providing technical computing services. The technical computing worker performs technical computing of tasks and the results of the execution of tasks may be provided to the technical computing client. Data associated with the tasks is managed by a programmable interface associated with a data storage repository. The interface allows the various entities of the distributed technical computing environment to access data services performable by the interface or by a file system or a database and database management system associated with the data.
US08032574B2
The present invention provides a probability generating apparatus offering unexpectedness and an excellent unfair act preventing function. The probability generating apparatus includes a parallel random number generator offering uniformity and consecutively generating random numbers.
US08032571B2
A method and apparatus for automatically classifying files on a mobile communication terminal are provided. The inventive method and apparatus enable the files to be automatically classified and copied into a desired storage folder on the mobile communication terminal. An exemplary method for automatically classifying files on a mobile communication terminal includes receiving a command to copy a selected file, determining an attribute of the selected file, determining a storage folder in which to store the file according to the attribute of the file and copying and storing the file in the determined storage folder. The method and apparatus enable files that a user desires to copy from an external device to the user's mobile communication terminal to be automatically classified according to their attributes and be stored in storage folders corresponding to the attributes, thus minimizing the inconvenience of individually designating a storage folder for each file whenever the files are copied.
US08032563B2
The present disclosure is concerned with generating a unique representation of a physical asset from a plurality of datasets representing information relating to the physical asset. Each dataset is generated by a system that acquires the dataset in a system-specific format. Each dataset that includes information about the attributes of a physical asset is mapped to a corresponding system-specific global dataset, based on a global data model. The global system-specific datasets generated are merged together to generate a global dataset, based on the global data model. The global dataset therefore uniquely represents the physical asset.
US08032559B2
A system and a method are disclosed for synchronizing folders between one or more layers of folders. It includes selecting layers to link together, comparing folders in the selected layers using an immutable identifier, parsing the folders of each of the selected layers into fields, comparing the fields of parsed folders of the selected layers, and determining whether to synchronize the folders of the selected layers based on conflict rules triggered in response to the comparison of the fields of the parsed folders. Also disclosed is a system and method of merging two or more folders in a network into a single folder. It includes comparing entries between folders to identify duplicate entries, grouping the identified duplicate entries in each folder, generating a matrix from the duplicates grouping and assigning each matrix entry a value, and matching the matrix entries based on the assigned values to determine an extent to merge an identified duplicate entry.
US08032548B2
An approach for providing efficient network data transfer service is provided. In one embodiment, a first database server receives, from a second database server, a first request to access a first storage subsystem. Here, the second database server cannot access first data in the first storage subsystem without another database server transmitting the first data to the second database server. In response, the first database server provides the second database server a first set of access primitives. Using the first set of access primitives, the second database server may access data stored in the first storage subsystem that may be otherwise not accessible. As a result, the first database server receives, from the second database server, a first data access request to access first data stored in the first storage subsystem.
US08032541B2
A system includes a relational database and processing logic. The relational database is configured to define a relationship between a group of logical activities and groups of physical commands that perform the logical activities. The processing logic is configured to receive a request to perform one logical activity of the group of logical activities, translate the one logical activity into one group of physical commands using the relational database, and cause the one logical activity to be performed on a remote device using the one group of physical commands.
US08032536B2
A system and method are provided for enabling telephone users to place information on a network that is accessible by a variety of devices from disparate communication protocols are provided. A telecommunications network provides access to one or more servers to one or more customers. A customer that is provided access to the server is enabled to create a basis of operations called a phonesite. The phonesite is constructed and arranged to allow read, write, and execute privileges to the customer and to those designated by the customer. Files and other information on the phonesite can be accessed and edited from, for example, a standard telephone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a web cam, an instant message client, and the like. Customers are given a single number with which to access the phonesite, or to allow others to access the phonesite. Other organizations or individuals with phonesites can exchange information in an automated fashion once connection between the two phonesites is authorized and established.
US08032535B2
A system and method for personalized search ranking may use a user's feedback to immediately reorder search results for this particular user so as to improve click-through rate. Upon receiving a query including one or more words, a search engine may identify a list of search results and display the search results on a search result page. A machine-learning module may collect information about a user's browsing activities on the result page, update estimates of relevance of the search results, and reorder the search result list to personalize it for the user.
US08032534B2
Provided are a content-based searching method and system for multimedia objects using a high-dimensional feature vector data based on a 2-level signature. The method for searching the high-dimensional data using a signature file includes calculating a first-level query signature and a second-level query signature by using the query feature vector, performing a first filtering operation to obtain a primary candidate cell group by searching a second-level signature file, and performing a secondary filtering operation to obtain a secondary candidate cell group having a high similarity in a primary candidate cell group. Accordingly, the high-dimensional data searching method and system can process a query quickly and accurately and can increase the searching accuracy by using an enhanced signature of the query feature vector.
US08032530B2
There is provided a method and system for sorting mailpieces in which data objects that are relevant for the sorting of the mailpieces are processed, and a result of the processing of a data object in a first data processing system is transmitted to a second data processing system for further processing. An exemplary method comprises providing in the first and second data processing systems a definition list that contains associations between the data objects and an unambiguous identifier and in which attributes of the data objects are indicated, whereby the unambiguous identifier of the data object is contained in the result of the processing of the data object, and whereby the second data processing system ascertains the attributes of the data object on the basis of the definition list and carries out the further processing of the result of the processing of the data object in the first data processing system on the basis of the ascertained attributes.
US08032527B2
Apparatus, systems and methods for search filtering are disclosed. A search instance associated with a user device is identified, and a determination is made as to whether the search instance includes a filtering term. If the search instance is determined to include a filtering term, then filtered content items in the search instance are identified, and the filtered content items and access to a verification service that provides access approval or access denial for unfiltered content items in the search instance are provided to the user device. Conversely, if the search instance is determine not to include a filtering term, then the unfiltered content items are provided to the user device.
US08032519B2
Embodiments are configured to provide a summary of information associated with one or more search results. In an embodiment, a system includes a summary generator that can be configured to provide a summary of information including one or more snippets associated with a search term or search terms. The system includes a ranking component that can be used to rank snippets and the ranked snippets can be used when generating a summary that includes one or more ranked snippets. In one embodiment, the system can be configured to include one or more filters that can be used to filter snippets and the filtered snippets can be used when generating a summary. Other embodiments are available.
US08032508B2
A system and method for URL based query for retrieving data related to a context. A request is received over a network from a user for data related to a context, wherein the request is a URL comprising a context query comprising at least one context criteria. The context criteria are parsed and translated and disambiguated. A network data query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search, via the network, for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data and topical data that is available via the network and relates to the context query so as to identify at least one data object that relates to context criteria. Permissions relating to the identified data objects are checked and references to the data objects are transmitted over the network to the user.
US08032492B2
Establishing a plurality of storage areas includes associating each of a first plurality of storage areas of a first type that contain sections of data with corresponding ones of second plurality of storage areas of a second type having pointers to alternative sections of data storage areas of the first type, where initially none of the second plurality of storage areas is available for accessing data corresponding thereto, and, after associating all of the first and second plurality of storage areas, activating the second plurality of storage areas to make the second plurality of storage areas available for accessing data. Exclusive access may be enabled for all of the first plurality of storage areas prior to activating the second plurality of storage areas or to each storage area one at a time.
US08032478B2
Described herein is a system that facilitates modifying a relational model. The relational model is modified based at least in part upon an identity of a user, and the modified relational model is used to predict queries or advertisements that are of interest to the user. Examples of relational models that are modifiable include a Markov Logic Network, a probabilistic relational model, a BLOG relational model, a structural logistic regression relational model, a relational dependency network, or a probabilistic entity relationship model.
US08032476B2
A method and apparatus for efficient indexed storage for unstructured content have been disclosed.
US08032467B1
The present invention relates to a valuation-based learning system. The system is configured to receive a plurality of inputs, each input being input evidence corresponding to a variable in a Dempster-Shafer Reasoning System. The Dempster-Shafer Reasoning System is a network of interconnected nodes, with each node representing a variable that is representative of a characteristic of a problem domain. A discount weight is then optimized for assigning to each of the inputs. A basic probability assignment (bpa) is generated using the Dempster-Shafer Reasoning System, and where the bpa is an output for use in determining a solution of the problem domain. Finally, a solution to the problem domain is determined using the bpa.
US08032464B2
A server printing apparatus which can communicate with a plurality of processors for respectively executing any of not less than one processes included in a print-related process according to a print order, includes a storage unit for storing execution content information indicating execution contents using at least one processor in association with the print-related process according to the print order, an encryption key storage unit for storing encryption keys uniquely and respectively given to the plurality of processors, and an encryption processing unit for encrypting information associated with each of the processors in the execution content information using the encryption key unique to that processor, and the processors are controlled to execute the print-related process according to the print order using the execution content information.
US08032462B2
Balancing image cash letters (“ICLs”) and ICL items during electronic check processing includes determining whether each item has been presented to a receiving institution for payment. A tracking module can track an incoming ICL/item's processing status using records comprising information regarding the ICL/item's status for electronic check processing events. The tracking module can present the ICL/item's processing status in one or more reports. The tracking module can balance an ICL by comparing an incoming ICL value amount with an outgoing ICL value amount. The incoming ICL value amount comprises the total value of the items in the incoming ICL. The outgoing ICL value amount comprises the total value of the items in the incoming ICL that have been presented to a receiving institution via one or more outgoing ICLs. If the amounts match, then the incoming ICL is balanced. If not, then the ICL is not balanced.
US08032459B2
A banknote-handling system includes a plurality of banknote-handling machines (11, 12, . . . ); a plurality of banks (16, 17) for accounting purposes, etc; a co-ordinating central unit (10); a transport system (18, 19 . . . ) for transporting banknotes between the machines and the banks; a central bank (15) for monitoring the activity and banknote-handling of respective banks; and an electronic information and signal transmission system (1-2) for enabling individual and co-operative activities of the units to be achieved. The information and signal transmission system (1-2) is divided into two subsystems. One subsystem (1) includes the transmission of information and signals that relate to and have their basis in transactions between the banks (16, 17) and the general public/businesses relating to their activities in respect of banknote-handling. The other subsystem (2) includes the purely administrative and technical signal transmission required for the requisite co-operation between the various units included in the system, for instance co-ordinating central unit-vehicles, banknote-handling machines-banks, within the banknote-handling system.
US08032452B2
Methods and systems are provided for performing a funds transfer. A request to transfer funds to a recipient is received at a host system, as well as an identification of a selected funds-transfer company chosen from a group of funds-transfer companies and a request to provide the funds to the recipient. Information related to the request is transmitted from the host system to a payout system. The request to transfer funds may include an identification of a retrieval location, with a list of funds-transfer companies that offer funds-transfer services to the retrieval location further being transmitted from the host system to a funds-transfer initiating system.
US08032448B2
Computer implemented methods and systems of processing transactions to determine the risk of transaction convert high categorical information, such as text data, to low categorical information, such as category or cluster IDs. The text data may be merchant names or other textual content of the transactions, or data related to a consumer, or any other type of entity which engages in the transaction. Content mining techniques are used to provide the conversion from high to low categorical information. In operation, the resulting low categorical information is input, along with other data, into a statistical model. The statistical model provides an output of the level of risk in the transaction. Methods of converting the high categorical information to low categorical clusters, of using such information, and other aspects of the use of such clusters are disclosed.
US08032447B2
A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events including plural electronic options with associated option fees for the goods or services or events. The plural electronic options include electronic option terms established by one or more suppliers who can supply the goods or services or events. The purchase of the electronic option is accepted according to electronic option terms established by the desired supplier. The option terms may vary greatly among the individual suppliers and no two suppliers may use the same option terms. Final pricing and final features of the goods or services or final pricing of events is determined using electronic counters for accepted purchases of electronic options that have decremented down to a desired pre-determined value.
US08032441B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for managing short-term risk to a portfolio of securities holdings while executing an outstanding trade list. The methods and systems may include steps of determining covariances between securities in the outstanding trade list and securities in the portfolio of holdings; receiving a risk variable, at least one constraint on the execution of a trade, and a proposed quantity representing a portion of said outstanding trade list desired to be executed at a particular time; and determining an immediately executable trade list based at least in part on the covariances and risk variable. The executable trade list must satisfy all of the trade constraints and also must be substantially equal to or less then the proposed quantity.
US08032440B1
A new computer-implemented method for determination of a financial index, namely, implied volatility for American options. The method involves the division of the period until option expiration into a series of sub-periods, and calculation of a node vega, the node vega being the exact derivative of the option price with respect to the volatility at the end of at least one of said subperiods.
US08032439B2
A method for scheduling processing of an instrument. The method receives instrument information, selects an instrument category for the instrument based on the instrument information, the selected instrument category having a calculation set, assigns the instrument to a job corresponding to the calculation set of the selected instrument category; and sends the job to a computing resource. In another aspect, the method also receives a purpose identifier, and chooses the calculation set from two or more calculation sets of the selected instrument category based on the purpose identifier. In another aspect, the calculation set includes two or more calculation sub-sets, each calculation sub-set having a job priority, and the method includes assigning the instrument to two or more jobs corresponding to each of the two or more calculation sub-sets.
US08032433B1
Methods and systems are provided whereby an Islamic investor (106) transfers a commodity to a corporate investor (108) in exchange for a contract to repay the value of the commodity plus a target rate of return in accordance with and agreed-upon schedule (204). The corporate investor in turn converts the commodity to a liquid asset for investment in an investment fund (206). The returns from the investment fund are used to satisfy the contract with the Islamic investor (214). The investment is thus made in accordance with Shari'ah law.
US08032431B2
A system and method for managing the development and manufacturing process of a pharmaceutical is disclosed. The method comprises capturing and recording the development and manufacturing history of the pharmaceutical in order to generate a product history. The product history is stored on a computer and is searchable in multiple data dimensions in order to easily retrieve information. The system automatically provides compliance management procedures in order to comply with regulatory standards for the pharmaceutical industry.
US08032427B1
A localization service is provided that provides users with online information on local retailers that sell particular products. A user can perform a search using a web page associated with the localization service or by searching using an internet search engine. The user's search includes a search origin. The search origin may be defined in terms of location information such as a place name or a postal code. A search for a particular product at local retailers may be made using search parameters such as search origins, product names, model numbers, product categories, and product attributes. The localization service may provide the user with search results in the form of web pages that list which retailers sell the desired product in the vicinity of the search origin. A targeted advertisement server at the localization service may use display criteria to determine which targeted advertisements should be displayed for the user.
US08032421B1
An online video distribution network includes an online video portal and an online video merchant. In one embodiment, when the consumer orders a video, the merchant provides a pick-up ticket to the consumer. The portal uses the merchant identity in the pick-up ticket to connect to the merchant, and the merchant uses a product identity in the pick-up ticket to retrieve and send the video to the portal. In another embodiment, the portal provides the consumer with a drop-off ticket, which is provided to the merchant. The merchant connects to the portal using the portal identity in the drop-off ticket, and sends the video and a customer identity in the drop-off ticket to the portal. The portal determines a consumer record associated with the consumer identity and stores the video in the consumer record. The consumer can then easily access the video at the portal.
US08032419B2
A method of assisting sellers and buyers in the sale and purchase of a vehicle is provided. The method may comprise the steps of communicating a vehicle's diagnostic data (e.g., OBD codes, etc.) with a provider. The method may further comprise the step of analyzing the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of preparing a vehicle diagnostic report based on the communicated diagnostic data. The method may also comprise the step of uploading the prepared report to a report database retrievable by a buyer.
US08032408B2
A contract association method and system. The method includes receiving, by a computing system from a requester, a command for creating a service request. The computing system places restrictions on accessing contracts associated with suppliers. The computing system receives a selection of a first requested skill from the requester. The computing system selects a group of contracts applicable to a group of suppliers. The computing system generates a service request document comprising a selection of a first supplier from the group of suppliers, a first contract of the group of contracts, and the first requested skill.
US08032394B1
A particular system and methodology by which a drug or medical therapy regimen is defined for any particular patient in a manner that takes not only a drug or therapy's effectiveness into account, but also an entire spectrum of relevant clinical dimensions so as minimize the possibility of harmful interactions while simultaneously maximizing pharmacotherapy potential. Furthermore, as a consequence of its construction, no medically relevant rule can be overlooked by the reasoning system. The system and methodology utilizes a computerized dimensional indexing system implementing multiple databases and performs therapeutic determinations by symbolic structural reasoning with respect to database elemental indices.
US08032393B2
The method, system and user-interface allows alignment of refill dates associated with a plurality of prescriptions, such that the plurality of prescriptions all require refills on the same date, thus limiting the number of occasions on which a customer must visit the pharmacy to retrieve refills of the aligned prescriptions, and increasing the likelihood that the customer will comply with the recommended medication regimen.
US08032389B2
Methods and software for selecting seed products or other agricultural inputs for planting within an associated land base include classifying the land base with an environmental classification, determining at least one seed product to plant within the land base based on the environmental classification, and providing an output comprising identification of the at least one seed product to plant within the land base.
US08032381B2
A method of decoding coded data provided on a photograph using a reader. The coded data is at least partially indicative of an audio signal and is provided on a photograph substrate in the same area as an image. The method includes steps of scanning the image using a scanner; locating within the image a first target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data; locating within the image a second target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data and downstream of the first target boundary in a direction in which the image is fed past the scanner; reading the coded data located between the first and second target boundaries; decoding the coded data read by the scanner to obtain an audio signal; and, playing the audio signal through an output.
US08032379B2
The present invention discloses a method for creating Web 2.0 entries, such as WIKI entries. In the method, a voice communication channel can be established between a user and an automated response system. User speech input can be received over the voice communication channel. A Web 2.0 entry can be created based upon the speech input. The Web 2.0 entry can be saved in a data store accessible by a Web 2.0 server. The Web 2.0 server can serve the saved Web 2.0 entry to Web 2.0 clients. The Web 2.0 clients can include a graphical and/or a voice interface through which the Web 2.0 entry can be presented to users of the clients. The created Web 2.0 entries (e.g. Web 2.0 application) can be formatted in an ATOM PUBLISHING PROTOCOL compliant manner.
US08032355B2
A socially-cognizant translation system that takes social state between speaker and listener into account when making the translation. The translation may be more formal or less formal based on the social relationship between speaker and listener. Profanities in the source speech may be detected, and used to determine the social cognizance. Also, the source speech can be translated without the profanity in the target language, instead using the meaning of the profanity.
US08032353B1
A method and apparatus for utilizing a bridged peripheral system within a bridged computer system having a host computer and a remote computer. The host computer executes peripheral driver software that initiates at least one communication. The host computer also executes a peripheral emulation that represents a peripheral of the remote client computer, where the at least one communication is processed by the peripheral emulation. In one embodiment, the peripheral is an audio codec.
US08032345B2
Method for optimizing the development of an underground reservoir, wherein a geological model is updated using dynamic data and well tests.A reservoir model is constructed by performing a geological model scale change. Dynamic data are simulated from this reservoir model. Influence zones are identified within the geological model where the well tests induce a pressure variation during well testing. Well tests are then simulated for each influence zone. An objective function measuring the difference between the simulated data and the measured data is calculated. The geological model is then modified so as to reduce to the maximum the objective function using a geostatistical parametrizing technique. Finally, development of the underground reservoir is optimized by evaluating, by means of a flow simulator, the reservoir production for various production schemes.Application: notably oil reservoir development.
US08032342B2
A method for generating a linear piecewise representation of a driver output current signal includes segmenting the driver output current signal such that an integral of each segment matches an actual voltage change in corresponding portion of an associated output voltage signal (within a desired tolerance). The beginning and ending current/time values for each segment can then be compiled into the piecewise linear representation of the driver output current signal. A method for generating a model driver output current signal includes conformally mapping first and second sets of precharacterization output current data based on a weighted average of the indexing parameter (e.g., input slew or output capacitance) values for the model driver output signal and the first and second sets of precharacterization data.
US08032336B2
A method of signal processing includes receiving a distorted signal comprising a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component being at least in part attributed to an exogenous signal, and performing linearization, based at least in part on the distorted signal and information associated with the exogenous signal, to obtain a corrected signal that is substantially similar to the undistorted component. An adaptive distortion reduction system includes an input interface configured to receive a distorted signal comprising a distorted component and an undistorted component, the distorted component being at least in part attributed to an exogenous signal; and an adaptive distortion reduction module coupled to the input interface, configured to perform linearization based at least in part on the distorted signal and information associated with the exogenous signal, to obtain a corrected signal that is substantially similar to the undistorted component.
US08032316B2
The disclosed battery monitoring systems and methods may minimize measurement errors due to noise and/or other disruptions. The sensor may generate a pulse width modulated signal that when applied to the battery forms an AC test signal having a defined waveform, frequency, amplitude, and/or duration. The sensor may measure the battery's response to the test signal. The resultant response signal may be measured to determine the health of the battery, including its internal admittance. The sensor may determine an optimum frequency to test the battery by scanning a frequency range and measuring the amount of noise present.
US08032314B2
A method for providing a more accurate synthetic profiles of temperature, salinity and sound speed of the ocean over an area of interest is provided by using a value of the mixed layer depth in addition to values of surface temperature and surface height in an ocean modeling system such as the Modular Ocean Data Assimilation System (MODAS) system developed for the U.S. Navy. The method of the present invention compares the predicted or observed mixed layer depth for the area of interest, for example, as obtained from remote sensing or upper ocean modeling, to a mixed layer depth estimated from an initial synthetic profile, and determines which is deeper, termed the reference mixed layer depth. The method then derives a modified temperature and salinity synthetic profile by setting the temperature and salinity equal to the surface values at depths less than or equal to the reference mixed layer depth and using an algorithm to estimate temperature and salinity at depths below the reference mixed layer depth.
US08032313B2
A machine for raising and lowering a load, the machine including a platform, a boom attached at one end to the platform, a rod mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boom on the other end of a boom, the rod having a central bore there through, with at least two strain gauges mounted therein and angled relative to each other, a hoist rope extending over the rod and having an end adapted to be attached to the load, and a mechanism connected to the at least two strain gauges for determining the angle of departure of the hoist rope from the rod and the amount of pull of the load on the hoist rope.
US08032305B2
A base sequence cluster generating system, method, and program product for performing cluster generation is provided. This is accomplished utilizing a computer system having a database containing base sequences which receives a query sequence. The computer uses spliced base sequences as a query sequence to generate a first cluster including base sequences that are likely to constitute a spliced pair with the query sequence. Spliced alignment is applied to the generated first cluster to generate a second cluster including spliced pairs. The generated second cluster is returned to the requester.
US08032301B2
A method and apparatus for determining long term orbit (LTO) models using variable time-horizons to improve the orbit and clock model accuracy. The method and apparatus use either historic ephemeris or historic measurements for at least one satellite to produce an orbit parameter prediction model (an LTO model). The parameter predicted by the model is compared to an orbit parameter of a current broadcast ephemeris. The result of the comparison (an indicia of accuracy for the model) is used to establish a time-horizon for the orbit parameter prediction model for that particular satellite. Such a time-horizon may be established in this manner for each satellite within a satellite constellation.
US08032297B2
A mapping systems includes determining that a map object (“MO”) is outside the visible area of a map displayed; calculating the direction, distance and travel-time to the MO, creating an object vector indicator (“OVI”) and displaying the OVI on the map-display application. The OVI may be displayed on the periphery of the map-display and may be positioned in the general direction of the MO. The position of the electronic device is factored into the calculations and placement of the OVI.
US08032285B2
A device with a memory function for detecting closure of vehicle doors and the method thereof is disclosed. Before a vehicle door is open, a detecting signal near the outer side of the door is emitted and its detection status is recorded. When the vehicle door is to be closed, a first detecting signal is emitted from the door frame top downwards and a second detecting signal is emitted near the outer side of the door. If the first detecting signal indicates that a person is at the door or the second detecting signal indicates that a person exists on the outer side of the door by comparison with a precious record, then the door is prohibited from being closed. Otherwise, the door can be closed. This automatic detection method can prevent the driver from accidentally hurt passengers by carelessly closing the doors.
US08032282B2
A damping characteristics control apparatus is provided for a vehicle suspension having a shock absorber mounted between a sprung member and an unsprung member for each wheel. Damping force of the shock absorber is controlled on the basis of damping coefficient obtained by C(absorber)=(Gain*|y−z|/|y′|)*[(T|z′|+L)/|y−z|]p wherein C(absorber); damping coefficient, z′; sprung velocity, y′; unsprung velocity, |y−z|; relative displacement, T; interval time of sprung member moving relative to unsprung member, L; displacement of sprung member stopped against unsprung member, Gain; control gain, p; parameter for determining effective range for control about neutral position of absorber.
US08032265B2
A system and method are disclosed for enhancing the visibility and ensuring the correctness of terrain and navigation information on aircraft displays, such as, for example, continuous, three-dimensional perspective view aircraft displays conformal to the visual environment. More specifically, an aircraft display system is disclosed that includes a processing unit, a navigation system, a database for storing high resolution terrain data, a graphics display generator, and a visual display. One or more independent, higher precision databases with localized position data, such as navigation data or position data is onboard. Also, one or more onboard vision sensor systems associated with the navigation system provides real-time spatial position data for display, and one or more data links is available to receive precision spatial position data from ground-based stations. Essentially, before terrain and navigational objects (e.g., runways) are displayed, a real-time correction and augmentation of the terrain data is performed for those regions that are relevant and/or critical to flight operations, in order to ensure that the correct terrain data is displayed with the highest possible integrity. These corrections and augmentations performed are based upon higher precision, but localized onboard data, such as navigational object data, sensor data, or up-linked data from ground stations. Whenever discrepancies exist, terrain data having a lower integrity can be corrected in real-time using data from a source having higher integrity data. A predictive data loading approach is used, which substantially reduces computational workload and thus enables the processing unit to perform such augmentation and correction operations in real-time.
US08032258B2
A controllable multiple-channel chemical transport bus routing and transport of fluids, gasses, aerosols, slurries and the like within a larger system. The system and methods are applicable for use in Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) technology, and may be useful in the implementation of reconfigurable LoC devices. Routes through the bus are determined by control signals and/or sequences of control signals issued under algorithmic control. Several independent flows may occur simultaneously. Techniques for limiting cross-contamination are provided. Sensors may be placed at various locations along bus line segments and may be used in the control of measured flows or in clearing and/or cleaning operations. Adaptations of Clos, Banyan, and other related multi-stage architectures in the flow topology may also be accomplished.
US08032254B2
An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user.
US08032253B2
In an automatic machine system comprising a mechanism unit (1) including at least one driving mechanism, a controller (2) for controlling a driving operation of the mechanism unit (1), and a teaching unit (3) for operating the mechanism unit (1), the teaching unit (3) includes a teaching unit communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the controller (2) and a first field intensity monitoring portion (13) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the teaching unit communicating portion, and the controller (2) includes a controller communicating portion for carrying out a wireless communication with the teaching unit (3), a second field intensity monitoring portion (26) for monitoring a field intensity of communication data in the controller communicating portion, and a driving portion for driving the mechanism unit (1) based on an operation signal sent from the teaching unit (3) in the controller communicating portion.
US08032245B2
An optical projection system for use with a display surface includes at least one image source comprising an array of source image pixels, a projector to project a first projection of the array of source image pixels, and at least one mirror including at least one curved reflecting surface having a curved profile. The at least one curved reflecting surface is adapted to convert the first projection to a curved second projection directed onto the display surface to provide an array of displayed image pixels on the display surface corresponding to the array of source image pixels, wherein the array of displayed image pixels have constant pixel pitch among adjacent displayed image pixels.
US08032234B2
A condition of an industrial process is diagnosed based upon process variable information related to a value of a measured process variable. Histogram information is calculated based upon the determined process variable information and time information related to a duration of time the measured process variable has the value. Condition of the industrial process is diagnosed based upon the calculated histogram information.
US08032232B2
An industrial controller comprises a processing component and a memory that comprises logic code that is executable by the processing component. The memory further comprises documentation associated with the logic code and other control components, wherein the documentation is stored in a native form to enable individualized access to a portion of the documentation to an accessing entity. For example, the documentation can comprise one or more of descriptive text relating to a rung of ladder logic, a text box associated with a portion of the sequential function chart, a text box associated with a function block diagram, and embedded descriptive text within structured text.
US08032222B2
A device is provided for stimulating select body tissues and organs from within a compartment in a body. The device includes a tube having a distal end, a proximal end and a plurality of lumens. At least one distendable element is located along and coupled to the tube in closer proximity to the distal end than to the proximal end. Each distendable element is configured to expand against the compartment into a first position and contract within the compartment into a second position. At least one electrical component is in association with each of the distendable elements and configured to activate and deactivate electrical stimulation to the select body tissues and organs. The expansion and contraction of each distendable element and the activation and deactivation of each electrical component in the compartment is repeated over a period of time.
US08032217B2
A method of using an implantable medical device (IMD) to monitor a ventricular contraction rate of a subject, monitor an atrial contraction rate of the subject, declare tachyarrhythmia if the ventricular contraction rate exceeds the atrial contraction rate, and declare a slow tachyarrhythmia when the ventricular rate exceeds the atrial rate and the ventricular rate is less than a specified maximum pacing rate.
US08032215B2
A neural stimulation system senses autonomic activities and applies neural stimulation to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to control autonomic balance. The neural stimulation system is capable of delivering neural stimulation pulses for sympathetic excitation, sympathetic inhibition, parasympathetic excitation, and parasympathetic inhibition.
US08032214B2
A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as ventricular synchrony or contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.
US08032206B1
A method for accurate heart rate detection includes receiving a signal indicative of motion due to respiration, and using the signal indicative of motion to adjust a threshold value of a signal indicative of activity of the heart. The adjusted threshold value is used to detect an accurate heart rate of a patient. A system for accurate heart rate detection comprises a motion sensor which produces a signal indicative of motion due to respiration, and a processor which adjusts a threshold value of a signal indicative of activity of the heart according to the signal indicative of motion. The adjusted threshold value is used to detect an accurate heart rate of a patient. The motion sensor can be any device that can determine direction of motion, such as an accelerometer, a displacement sensor, a velocity sensor, or a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor.
US08032197B2
A method of using a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system to analyze for a disease or condition includes creating a diffusion channel in an area of skin. The diffusion channel is maintained for a desired duration. The level of the disease marker(s) is continuously monitored for the desired duration via a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring device. The levels of the at least one disease marker at the area of skin are analyzed to determine if the disease or condition associated with the at least one disease marker is present.
US08032196B2
A Josephson device includes a first superconducting electrode layer, a barrier layer and a second superconducting electrode layer that are successively stacked. The first and second superconducting electrode layers are made of an oxide superconductor material having (RE)1(AE)2Cu3Oy as a main component, where an element RE is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and an element AE is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca. The barrier layer is made of a material that includes the element RE, the element AE, Cu and oxygen, where in cations within the material forming the barrier layer, a Cu content is in a range of 35 At. % to 55 At. % and an RE content is in a range of 12 At. % to 30 At. %, and the barrier layer has a composition different from compositions of the first and second superconducting electrode layers.
US08032192B2
Disclosed are a portable terminal and sliding/swing-type cradling apparatus thereof. The portable terminal includes a first housing, a second housing that slides along the first housing and faces the first housing, and a third housing including a display unit. The third housing is movable from a termination position after sliding along the first housing with the second housing and rotating when the display unit is inclined.
US08032191B2
A speaker with an earphone function comprises a main body, magnet, washer, voice coil, diaphragm, front cover, rear cover and sound tube; it is characterized in that a conventional earphone housing is integrated with a housing of a speaker unit used in an earphone to enable the main body to be used as the speaker housing concurrently so as to save the production material and cost of a speaker housing, and a speaker assembly and the an earphone assembly can be completed at one time so as to reduce the earphone assembly cost. Furthermore, a diameter of a diaphragm can be relatively increased and a length of an earphone front chamber in front of the diaphragm can be shortened so that the bass quality can be elevated and the alt loss can be decreased.
US08032190B2
The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating short-range wireless communications between a mobile wireless device and an auxiliary device. The wireless device includes a short-range transceiver for communicating with an auxiliary device; a signal module for providing a mode control signal; and, a control module for controllably shifting a short-range transceiver between a power saver mode and a search mode based on the mode control signal received from the signal module. When in the search mode, the short-range transceiver is operable to search for the auxiliary device to communicate therewith. When in a power saver mode, the short-range transceiver is not operable to search for the auxiliary device.
US08032189B2
A system and method for managing battery slump in a battery-powered communications device including: an input configured for receiving battery voltage level information; an output configured for sending a signal for terminating a transmission; and a controller connected to the input and the output and configured to receive the battery voltage level information from the input; monitor the battery voltage level information; and send a signal via the output to terminate a transmission if the battery voltage level information crosses a predetermined threshold during the transmission. In particular, the system and method may further include an input connected to the controller and configured for receiving a signal indicating when a transmission is beginning or occurring and the controller is further configured to receive and monitor the battery voltage level information only when the transmission is occurring.
US08032183B2
The present invention provides a method of coordinating transmission by and reception by a plurality of antennas associated with a plurality of radio heads. The method includes determining, at a controller, at least one relative time delay associated with a plurality of backhaul links between the controller and the plurality of radio heads. The method also includes providing information indicative of a first signal over the plurality of backhaul links. The method further includes providing timing information over the plurality of backhaul links. The timing information is determined based on the relative time delay(s) such that the plurality of radio heads can use the provided timing information to coherently transmit the first signal using the plurality of antennas and a plurality of controllers to receive mobile unit transmitted information.
US08032174B2
Methods and apparatus for use in provisioning mobile communication devices in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are described. A mobile communication device associates with a wireless access point of a provisioning virtual local area network (VLAN) of the network with use of a provisioning network identifier (“provisioning ESS1D”). After associating with the wireless access point of the provisioning VLAN, a primary network identifier (“primary ESSID”) associated with a primary VLAN of the network is received from the WLAN in a provisioning procedure and stored in memory of the mobile device after authentication. For subsequent communications with the WLAN, the mobile device associates with a wireless access point of the primary VLAN of the network with use of the primary network identifier.
US08032172B2
A power controlled repeater is disclosed for use in a wireless communication system to control the forward link gain. The power controlled repeater includes a forward link for communications from a base station to a mobile station. In addition, the power controlled repeater includes a reverse link for communications from the mobile station to the base station. An embedded subscriber unit is used at the power controlled repeater and is inserted into the forward link. A microprocessor is in electronic communications with the subscriber unit and implements a method for controlling the forward link gain. The method for controlling the forward link gain includes using the embedded subscriber unit in the power controlled repeater to control the forward link gain.
US08032169B2
A system and method for providing low overhead floor control in a distributed control two-way radio communications network (200) including one or more subscriber stations (201,205, 213, 215, 217) and one or more peer stations (203, 207, 211) interconnected via an Internet connection (209) using no central control. A subscriber station (201) utilizes a floor request during a timed floor request window (FRW) for requesting floor control to a given peer station (203). The system and method provide for consistent floor control decisions throughout the communications network (200) which includes a policy to block additional floor requests from local subscriber stations once an initial floor request has been received. This enables each peer to receive an identical set of floor requests as every other peer within the FRW such that every peer will grant the floor to the same subscriber.
US08032167B2
A control device includes a first communication interface for communicating first control data with a first plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a first protocol, wherein the first communication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with the first protocol. A second communication interface communicates second control data with a second plurality of communication devices that utilize the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with a second protocol, wherein the second communication interface utilizes the millimeter wave frequency band in accordance with the second protocol. A resource controller allocates resources of the millimeter wave frequency band to the first plurality of communication devices and the second plurality of communication devices based on the first control data and the second control data.
US08032161B2
A method in one example has the steps of: notifying a calling mobile terminal that a called mobile terminal is not available to receive a call; and notifying the called mobile terminal that an unsuccessful call attempt was made to the called mobile terminal via a mobile terminated short message when one of the following occurs, the called mobile terminal completes a current call and the called mobile terminal powers on.
US08032159B2
A method for paging an idle MS includes: a PC sends a Paging Announce message to the BS, starts a timer and sets a paging count threshold; the BS pages the MS; if no paging response is received from the MS before expiry of the timer, the PC compares the number of times of paging with the set paging count threshold, and re-sends the Paging Announce message or cancels the paging operation, according to the comparison result. A method for stopping paging to an idle MS includes: a BS in a PG pages an MS, and a network side sends a paging stop message to at least one other BS; and at least one other BS stops the paging process. A paging includes a central processing unit for setting a paging count threshold and judging whether a paging response is received.
US08032154B2
A wireless device 30 according to the present invention includes a location information acquiring unit 31 configured to acquire location information of the wireless device; an estimated error value acquiring unit 33 configured to acquire an estimated error value of the acquired location information; a moving status determining unit 34 configured to determine a moving status of the wireless device; and a location determining unit 36 configured to determine a location where the wireless device exists, based on the acquired estimated error value and the determined moving status.
US08032153B2
A wireless location system is disclosed that may be configured as a gateway for receiving a plurality of requests for locating mobile stations for, e.g., E911 requests, vehicle location or tracking. For each mobile station (MS) location request, the system: (a) activates one or more location estimators for locating the MS, (b) receives one or more MS location estimates from the estimators, and (c) transmits a resulting location estimate(s) to an identified destination. MS locations are determined using one or more locating technologies based on, e.g.: computed offsets from terrestrial base stations, satellite transmissions, indoor antennas, low range base stations, and/or signal fingerprinting. The system may: adapt with environmental changes, evaluate MS locations using heuristics/constraints, and/or adjust MS estimates for more reliable and accurate estimates. The system is useful for 911 emergencies, tracking, routing (e.g., to desired products/services), people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas.
US08032151B2
A mobile computing device comprises a memory, a processor and a transceiver. The memory is configured to store at least one type of position assist data. The processor is configured to provide a position fix based on the position assist data. The transceiver is configured for wireless communication. The memory is configured to store updated position assist data for the type of position assist data. The processor is operable in a first operating mode in which the type of position assist data is not updated and operable in a second operating mode in which the type of position assist data is updated in response to at least one triggering event.
US08032147B2
A method and apparatus for informing terminals in a UMTS regarding state information of an MBMS in order to prevent terminals from requesting a service that cannot be provided in a cell in which it is newly located. The mobile communication network informs the terminals about its service provision state for a particular MBMS service being provided, and the terminals operate in accordance with this service provision state information to minimize unnecessary operations of the terminal and unnecessary signaling and waste of radio resources.
US08032143B2
Systems for automatically selecting a user's profile based on location include a device adapted to being tracked by location and a database that includes a user's preferences for routing calls. The user's calls are routed to the user based on the user's call routing preferences and the location of the device. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US08032141B2
A method of transmitting data between a content server (11) and a terminal (17) belonging to a discontinuous coverage network, the terminal (17) moving from a first radio coverage area (14, 161) to a second radio coverage area (14, 162) over an area (14a) comprising no radio coverage. The method includes: terminating (100) one or more protocols used by the content server (11) for the data transmission with the terminal (17) within a proxy, wherein the proxy is seen as the entry point of the discontinuous coverage network by the content server (11), and using a caching mechanism provided within the discontinuous coverage network for forwarding (200) data from the proxy to the terminal (17).
US08032140B2
A wireless communication device (100) includes a receiving module (11), a storage module (12), a processing module (13) and a warning module (14). The receiving module receives data sent by a base station of a network communicating with the wireless communication device. The storage module is electronically connected to the receiving module, and stores the received data. The processing module is electronically connected to the receiving module and the storage module, and processes the received data. The warning module is electronically connected to the processing module, and outputs an alerting signal in accordance with the processing result of the processing module if the wireless communication device is actuated during a call and the base station of the network communicating with the wireless communication device is switched from one to another.
US08032136B2
A service providing system, including a service using device; a service providing device for providing a service to the service using device, the service providing device being communicably connected to the service using device; and a template transmitting device for transmitting a template to the service using device, the template containing: transmission destination information indicating a transmission destination to which the service using device transmits data for use in authentication; and user input assisting information based on which display device either provided in the service using device or communicably connected to the service using device displays an interface for use by a service user entering data to the service using device.
US08032133B2
A method selects a network entity in a communication system. The method includes receiving, in a controller entity of an unlicensed radio spectrum access network, location information of a communication device connected to one of the unlicensed radio spectrum access network and another access network. The method further includes determining a routing area indication based on the location information. The method further includes selecting, based on the routing area indication, a serving network entity, which provides services for the communication device using at least the unlicensed radio spectrum access network and the another radio access network. Furthermore, a computer program, a controller entity and a communication system are configured to execute the method.
US08032130B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling one or more characteristics of a service received by a mobile station in a mobile communications network across a radio communications link with a dynamically varying bandwidth. Bandwidth-sensing data packets are created for the purpose of determining changes in the bandwidth available across the link and transmissions of bandwidth-sensing data packets across the link are monitored. If timing information generated from the monitored transmissions indicates a change in the bandwidth, then one or more characteristics of the service received can be altered. With this new measure of the available bandwidth, the service received by a mobile station can be managed more intelligently, for example by instructing a bandwidth control function to alter the bandwidth available across the link, by instructing a handover control function to control a handover of the link from one fixed node to another fixed node, or by altering a data rate of the service data packets.
US08032126B2
A wireless communications network comprises a server in a central location storing matching profiles for a plurality of users of the network. The matching profile for each user is stored in the server through the user's mobile unit or a secure page on the Internet. Each matching profile is corresponded with a respective mobile unit using the same identification information (ID) of the respective mobile unit utilized for carrying out phone calls. The server has a customizable variable matching algorithm and probes the matching profiles corresponding to the respective mobile units in a cell or group of cells for a match every time a new mobile unit subscribes into the cell or group of cells. When there is a match of matching profiles, the two persons are put in contact or advised of each other through a phone call or other communications method.
US08032117B2
Methods and apparatuses allow for wireless configuration parameters to be passed to a client to enable the client to configure a wireless network interface to connect to a wireless network.
US08032109B1
Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.
US08032089B2
A radio transceiver device includes circuitry for radiating electromagnetic signals at a very high radio frequency both through space, as well as through wave guides that are formed within a substrate material. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises a dielectric substrate formed within a board, for example, a printed circuit board. In another embodiment of the invention, the wave guide is formed within a die of an integrated circuit radio transceiver. A plurality of transceivers with different functionality is defined. Substrate transceivers are operable to transmit through the wave guides, while local transceivers are operable to produce very short range wireless transmissions through space. A third and final transceiver is a typical wireless transceiver for communication with remote (non-local to the device) transceivers.
US08032075B2
Each of terminals for use in a regional broadcast radio system includes a measuring unit for measuring an electric field value of a received signal of a specific frequency; a comparing unit for comparing the electric field value of the received signal with a predetermined electric field value; a scanning unit for scanning a specific frequency band when the electric field value of the received signal is equal to or less than the predetermined value; a frequency detecting unit for detecting a frequency of a maximum received electric field; and an information detecting unit for detecting whether notification information is included in a reception signal of the detected frequency. Each of terminals further includes an acquiring unit for acquiring a district code from the detected notification information; and a district code changing unit for setting the acquired district code as a district code of each of terminals.
US08032069B2
A fusing device includes a rotatable pressing roller, a fusing belt to rotate by a rotational force transmitted from the rotatable pressing roller, a nip forming member to contact an inner surface of the fusing belt to form a nip on a contact area between the rotatable pressing roller and the fusing belt, a heating member formed in approximately an internal central portion of the fusing belt to heat the nip forming member and the fusing belt, an inner support member formed within the fusing belt to press a nip part of the nip forming member toward the rotatable pressing roller, and an outer support member formed outside the fusing belt, and both ends of the outer support member being engaged with the inner support member to thereby reinforce the strength of the inner support member and form a path for radiation heat to disperse. The support unit includes an inner support member placed within the belt unit, and an outer support member placed outside the belt unit, both ends of the outer support member being engaged with the inner support member to reinforce the strength of the inner support member and to form a path for a radiation heat to disperse.
US08032067B2
This invention provides a circular body, which is used for an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system, the circular body containing: at least an inner layer containing resin and an outer layer that is laminated on an outer circumferential surface side of the inner layer and contains resin; and, as a conductive agent, polyaniline in the outer layer and carbon black in the inner layer; and satisfying the following relational expressions (1) and (2): 13.0≦C1≦15.0 (1) 21.5≦C2≦25.0 (2), wherein C1 represents the content (parts by weight) of the polyaniline with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin forming the outer layer, and C2 represents the content (parts by weight) of the carbon black with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin forming the inner layer, as well as a circular body unit using the circular body and an image forming apparatus using the circular body.
US08032066B2
A method and apparatus for correcting a color registration are provided for improving the quality of images of an image forming apparatus. A surface condition is estimated of an intermediate transfer belt used to correct a color registration. A determination is made as to whether an abnormal section exists on the intermediate transfer belt. Location information is stored regarding the abnormal section on the intermediate transfer belt, if the abnormal section exists. A mark for color registration correction is formed on a normal section, other than the abnormal section. The color registration is corrected using the mark. Accordingly, if a partially inferior section appears in the intermediate transfer belt and a mark is not normally formed, the color registration is successfully corrected.
US08032063B2
An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member and a developing device. The developing device includes a developing roller to supply a developer to the photosensitive member and a casing defining an external appearance of the developing device. A first auger section is defined in the casing to agitate and convey the developer, and a second auger section is defined in the casing and divided from the first auger section. A developer delivery unit is provided on the outside of the casing to deliver the developer from the first auger section to the second auger section.
US08032059B2
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to charging devices which produce a negative corona. The present embodiments pertain to the use of a positive charging device, such as a scorotron, after the erase lamp and before negative charging station in the xerographic cyclic to mitigate the undesirable changes in charge transport layer electrical properties that result from exposure to corona while negatively charging the photoreceptor during latent image formation.
US08032054B2
A cartridge and method that is useful in installing an endless belt in one or more modules of a belt containing system is disclosed. The cartridge may include at least two internal cartridge rolls around which said belt is wound, a traveling roll around which belt is positioned, and gear racks on which said traveling roll will move, said belt being movably connected on one end to one of said internal cartridge rolls and on an opposite end to said traveling roll, end caps located at each end of said internal cartridge rolls, said end caps and internal cartridge rolls having conduits therethrough, and a sheath to cover and contain said internal cartridge rolls.
US08032050B2
The charge assembly according to the present invention includes a charge member having a conductive support body on which a resistance adjusting layer and a surface layer covering the resistance adjusting layer are formed, to rotate a surface of the image support body to electrically charge the image support body, the surface layer having a static friction coefficient of 1.0 or more; and a cleaning member rotating the surface layer of the charge member in contact therewith to remove foreign particles on the surface layer.
US08032049B2
An image forming device is provided to be able to make efficient use of an internal space while improving the detection accuracy, with which a detected body is detected. The image forming device according to the invention comprises a housing, a duct, through which an air in the housing is caused to flow, a detection portion arranged outside the duct to be displaced according to the presence of, or movement of a detected body, an operating portion that can be displaced in the duct, a detection element arranged in the duct to detect displacement of the operating portion, and a transmission portion that transmits displacement of the detection portion to the operating portion through an opening formed on the duct.
US08032037B2
A cartridge used for image formation is detachably accommodated in a main body of an image forming apparatus. A cartridge determining unit determines a cartridge type, which is a type of the cartridge, and a print-job determining unit determines a print job type, which is a type of a print job received from an external device. If the print job type and the cartridge type do not match, an inhibiting unit inhibits an image formation process.
US08032033B2
A synchronous optical bus system for communication between computer system components is described. In one example, the optical bus system is used for communication between a memory controller and memory devices optically coupled to an optical interconnect. Optical bus interface units couple the components to the optical interconnect and are arranged on the optical interconnect in order that a sum of an optical path length from a controller component to each computer system component and from each computer system component to the controller component is the same for all the coupled computer system components. A synchronous protocol is used for communication between the components.
US08032026B2
When an XFP is plugged into an optical interface unit by live-line plugging, an external bias voltage higher than an internal bias voltage is kept applied to a CDR incorporated in the optical interface unit until the XFP starts up. This prevents exertion of a negative effect on the CDR.
US08032024B2
A method of multiple-band switching using a multi-pump fiber parametric switch is demonstrated. The switching architecture combines parametric band amplification, wavelength conversion and selective signal conjugation, enabled by temporal control of at least one pump of the multi-pump parametric device. The switching speed of the present invention is limited by the rise time of the controlled pump(s).
US08032005B2
Content managed as a content directory is allowed to be selected from a playback apparatus on a network and the playback apparatus is allowed to play back the content. If playback of the content is suspended, the position at which playback was suspended is stored. This content is set in the content directory as virtual content. If this virtual content is selected, playback of the virtual content is resumed from the position at which suspension occurred.
US08032004B2
A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.
US08031986B2
The optical device includes a substrate having an electrooptic effect; a plurality of optical waveguides formed in the substrate in parallel to one another; and a polarization inversion region which is disposed a part of the substrate and which has a polarization characteristic that is an inverse to that of the substrate, wherein a profile of a boundary between the polarization inversion region and a remaining region in which the polarization is not inverted is configured such that accumulated amounts of distortion that affects the respective waveguides over coordinates along a light propagation direction are substantially identical.
US08031984B2
The present invention can provide an npin-type optical modulator that has a high withstand voltage and is easily fabricated. A semiconductor optical amplifier (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is an npin-type semiconductor optical modulator in which layers are sequentially stacked, with a cathode layer (12-1) arranged on the substrate side, including at least a first n-type cladding layer (13-1), a p-type cladding layer (14), a core layer (17) and a second n-type cladding layer (13-2). In this semiconductor optical modulator, the p-type cladding layer (14) is electrically connected to an electrode (18-1) of the cathode layer. Accordingly, the accumulation of holes in the p-type cladding layer associated with light absorption in the npin-type optical modulator can be absorbed in the electrode on the negative side. This npin-type semiconductor optical modulator can be comparatively easily fabricated using conventional semiconductor manufacturing techniques by adopting a mesa type waveguide structure.
US08031977B2
An image interpolation method interpolating image information of a point in a space constructed by a plurality of planes. According to the method, a reliable interpolated value can be rapidly obtained by searching for the nearest plane to the point, obtaining information about a plane facing the nearest plane using image information of one or more vertices of the plane facing the nearest plane, and interpolating the image information of the point using the image information of the one or more vertices of the nearest plane and the obtained information about the plane facing the nearest plane.
US08031975B2
Systems and methods image zooming with intensity preservation is disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of minimizing energy levels over a set of high-resolution image pixels of a high-resolution image via total variational filtering to obtain the high-resolution image from at least a portion of a low-resolution image; the low-resolution image having a first energy level, the high resolution image having a second energy level, and the first energy level to be substantially similar in value as the second energy level. One embodiment can include, determining a pixel value of a particular high-resolution image pixel based on the pixel values of a plurality of pixels of the at least a portion of the low-resolution image and the pixel values of the high-resolution image pixels not including the particular high-resolution image pixel.
US08031972B2
A system for dynamically resizing information handling system images which dynamically resizes information handling system images and enables presentation of images (such as product images) at multiple sizes in a consistent compression/quality ratio without having to create a new offline batch process for each image dimension and without requiring manual image manipulation.
US08031971B2
An image processing content determining apparatus 100, a computer readable medium storing thereon an image processing content determining program and an image processing determining method being capable of determining the content of an image processing with simple operation is provided. The image processing content determining apparatus includes: a basic figure generating section for generating a basic figure 400; a transformed figure generating section 140 including a transformed figure displaying section for superimposing transformed images 410, 420, 430 and 440 obtained by transforming the basic figure 400 according to a transform instruction received from outside on input images 310, 320, 340 and 350 and for displaying the same; and an amount of transform calculating section for calculating the content of a processing to transform the transformed images 410, 420, 430 and 440 currently displayed to the basic figure 400.
US08031969B1
Methods and apparatuses for selecting appropriate anisotropic filtering levels for images. An image is obtained, that image is Fourier transformed into its frequency components, and then those frequency components are normalized. The Fourier transformed into its frequency components are assigned to Fourier buckets (or bins) having dimensions selected in accord with the number of available anisotropic filtering levels. A predetermined threshold value is used to select one of the Fourier buckets by comparing the predetermined threshold value with the contents of the Fourier buckets. The selected Fourier bucket is used to determine an appropriate anisotropic filtering level for the image. Some embodiments of the present invention can provide for an automatic selection and setting of the appropriate anisotropic filtering level.
US08031968B2
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit that obtains an image captured with an image sensor; and a defect information generating unit that generates defect information indicating a defect within the image having been obtained, based upon a value at a target pixel and an average value of a plurality of pixel values corresponding to pixels present within a predetermined range containing the target pixel.
US08031964B2
The present invention relates to a display method and device for improving the luminous efficiency of a matrix display using a pulse-width modulation, or PWM, technique. According to the invention, in order to reduce the blurring effect, the display method comprises the following steps: —detecting the moving object contours within said sequence of video images, —modifying, for each image of said sequence and each contour detected, the gray level of at least one pixel adjacent to said contour by assigning to it an intermediate level in the range between its initial gray level and that of the other pixel adjacent to said contour, and—displaying said modified image sequence. Application to matrix displays comprising a LCOS, OLED or DMD valve array.
US08031960B2
Wavelet transformation is performed at a plurality of levels as to image signals. A first buffer stores, independently for each of the levels, a part of coefficients from results of analysis filtering in a horizontal direction of the image signals. A second buffer stores, independently for each of the levels, a part of coefficients generated in a computation process of analysis filtering in a vertical direction of the image signals. A vertical filtering unit performs the vertical direction analysis filtering, using coefficients read out from the first and second buffers. A horizontal filtering unit performs analysis filtering in the horizontal direction, using coefficients from the results of the vertical direction analysis filtering as the input of the horizontal direction analysis filtering for the next level, except for the final level of the levels.
US08031942B2
A matching device includes a first storing unit, a second storing unit, and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a control unit and a circuit unit. In the circuit unit, a first circuit including distance calculating circuits that calculate distances between unknown characters and dictionary characters and a selecting circuit that selects P distances having smallest values and character codes corresponding to the distances is configured, and then a second circuit including a permutation circuit that outputs distances in order from one having a smallest value and outputs character codes corresponding to the distances is configured.
US08031936B2
An image processing system provides faster than real-time skin detection and localization. The system uses the highly optimized architecture of a graphics processing unit to quickly and efficiently detect and locate skin in an image. By performing skin detection and localization on the graphics processing unit, the image processing system frees the main system processor to perform other important tasks, including running general purpose applications. The speed with which the image processing system detects and localizes skin also facilitates subsequent processing steps such as face detection and motion tracking.
US08031935B2
A method for removing color noise on a slowly varying component contained in color difference component image data of image data which is imported from an image sensor and converted to brightness and the color difference component image data, includes the steps of: sampling pixels of said color difference component image data by thinning out according to a first defined sampling format when not performing a color noise removal process on the slowly varying component; determining if the color noise removal process is necessary to be performed or not; producing the color difference component image data, corresponding to a compressed image data size smaller than an image data size without said color noise removal process, by thinning out according to a second defined sampling format when performing said color noise removal process; and recording the color difference and brightness component image data.
US08031922B2
A method of determining in a three-dimensional operating space a measure of super-imposition M between at least a portion of an object and a spatial representation of the object or part thereof in an object representation pose, a pose comprising position and orientation in operating space includes: a) obtaining a similarity measure S between a first imaging data taken in first respective imaging poses of the object or part thereof and second imaging data comparable to the first imaging data taken in second respective imaging poses that are digitally reconstructed from the spatial representation of the object or part thereof in the object representation pose; b) locating in operating space at least one point on the surface of the object or part thereof; c) obtaining a distance measure D between the at least one point in operating space and a surface of the spatial representation of the object or part thereof in the object representation pose; and d) obtaining a measure of superimposition M by a combination of the similarity measure S and the distance measure D.
US08031919B2
Method for processing digital images, such as magnetic resonance images of a brain. The images contain a first object, for example the cerebrum white matter, a second object, for example the cerebral cortex, and a third object, for example the cerebrospinal fluid. The method involves providing a digital dataset representing a deformable curve or surface that in an initial state approximates the boundary between the first object and the second object. Further, a vector force field is provided that for each point on the deformable curve or surface defines a direction from the point approximately towards the second boundary between the second and the third object, and this vector force field is applied for iteratively deforming the deformable curve or surface convergently towards the second boundary. In order to reconstruct a folded structure of the second object, for example the cortex, the vector force field also involves a normal vector field with a vector normal or approximately normal to the deformable curve or surface for each point on the deformable curve or surface.
US08031918B2
Methods, storage mediums, and systems for image data processing are provided. Embodiments for the methods, storage mediums, and systems include configurations to perform one or more of the following steps: background signal measurement, particle identification using classification dye emission and cluster rejection, inter-image alignment, inter-image particle correlation, fluorescence integration of reporter emission, and image plane normalization.
US08031917B2
A method for displaying computer aided detection markers from a digitized image includes marking a first set of locations of interest during a first read of the image, producing a first set of markers, receiving a second set of markers of locations of interest on the image from a CAD algorithm, combining the first set of markers with the second set of markers, sorting the combined set of markers according to a predetermined criteria, and presenting the sorted set of markers to a user for a second read of the image.
US08031910B2
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for and a method of measuring and selecting grain for use in milling, or seed for use in plant breeding. Said method is adapted to optically analyze seeds/grains to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the seed/grain, and more particularly, to analyze the gradation of color, whiteness, and hard endosperm of the seed/grain. This method and apparatus perform color image analysis of seed/grain sample(s) to characterize multiple quality traits.
US08031881B2
Method and apparatus for microphone matching for wearable directional hearing assistance devices are provided. An embodiment includes a method for matching at least a first microphone to a second microphone, using a user's voice from the user's mouth. The user's voice is processed as received by at least one microphone to determine a frequency profile associated with voice of the user. Intervals are detected where the user is speaking using the frequency profile. Variations in microphone reception between the first microphone and the second microphone are adaptively canceled during the intervals and when the first microphone and second microphone are in relatively constant spatial position with respect to the user's mouth.
US08031878B2
Power is delivered from a power source in a head-mounted device to a separate accessory that is coupled to the head-mounted device. Power and signals are delivered on a common conductor that couples the head-mounted device to an accessory. One or both of the head-mounted device and the accessory are configured based on the signals. Power may be received at an accessory from the head-mounted device through a dedicated power conductor. Power may be delivered from a power source in a portable accessory to a head-mounted device that is coupled to the portable accessory and uses the power for circuitry in the head-mounted device that delivers audio to a user.
US08031872B2
Various embodiments of methods and apparatuses for managing authentication key contexts are described herein. In various embodiments, the methods and apparatuses include selective purging of authentication key contexts of supplicants even if their authentication keys have not expired.
US08031870B2
The conditional access system in a single frequency network in a digital broadcasting system includes a main broadcasting system transmitting encoded broadcasting signals including a data stream and transmitter identification information (TII) through a main broadcasting network; a repeating system amplifying and transmitting encoded broadcasting signals of the main broadcasting network, or modulating and amplifying a stream input by the main broadcasting system through a cable, and repeating broadcasting signals of the main broadcasting system through a repeating network; a subscriber station decoding the encoded signals of the main broadcasting network included in the broadcasting signals received through the main broadcasting network or the repeating network, TII, and an encoding key according to a decoding method; and a decoding key provider receiving a decoding key from the main broadcasting or repeating system, authenticating a user, and transmitting the decoding key to a charged subscriber station through a mobile communication network.
US08031868B2
A content recording apparatus includes a key selecting unit that selects an encryption key for performing an encrypting process to adjunct data from pieces of information recorded on a recording medium, when a user generates the adjunct data which is data derived from a title content, wherein the recording medium records thereon a title key for encrypting the title content as program content and content data including the title content encrypted by the title key. The content recording apparatus also includes an encryption processing unit that performs an encrypting process to the adjunct data by the selected encryption key; and a recording unit that records the adjunct data to which the encryption process is performed and the selected encryption key in the recording medium.
US08031865B2
A multiple level security system and method for encrypting data within documents is disclosed. The method includes one or more different encryption algorithms, and can employ the one or more different encryption algorithms to achieve the multiple levels of encryption. More particularly, a first encryption algorithm is based upon multiple rearrangements of bits representing data to obtain encoded data. A second encryption algorithm is based upon performing multiple XOR operations on bits representing data so that each data word is at least encoded with previous data words. Either encryption method or a combination of both encryption methods can be repeatedly applied to portions of data within a document to selectively encrypt each data portion within the document in accordance with the authorization level associated with the data portion.
US08031859B2
In a stagnation-judgment device, a work history-acquiring unit acquires work history of actions taken by an operator to handle an enquiry. A correlation-deriving unit derives correlation between actions of the operator and stagnation based on the work history regarding past enquiries. A stagnation-judgment unit judges whether the operator is in a state of stagnation by checking the work history regarding a current enquiry and the correlation derived by the correlation-deriving unit. A warning unit issues a warning when the operator is in the state of stagnation.
US08031842B1
A telecommunications system 100 is provided that includes a plurality of TTY devices 124a-n, a switching system 104 to switch a call to a selected one of the plurality of TTY devices; and back-to-back modems 132a-m comprising first and second modems 136 and 140. The first modem 136 faces the TTY devices 124a-n and the second modem 140 faces a set of outgoing trunks.
US08031841B2
A method and apparatus for mechanizing the currently manual ADSL loop testing process is disclosed. In one embodiment, an automated loop testing device is disclosed, where the loop testing device has a pair of terminals, e.g., RJ-11 jacks on both sides of the device. The jack on one side connects to inside wiring which, in turn, connects to an ADSL modem. The other jack connects to an outside line which, in turn, connects to a central office of a network provider. In operation, the present device detects a line voltage reversal and then disconnects the input line to the ADSL Modem. When the voltage returns to normal, then the device behaves normally by being closed, essentially acting as a pass through device and again connects the input lines to the output lines.
US08031836B2
The present invention relates to network enabled analysis of x-ray images. Also described are devices comprising calibration phantoms; methods of using these devices; methods of formulating databases containing information regarding x-ray images; the databases themselves; and methods of manipulating the information and databases.
US08031835B2
A method of imaging a breast comprising (i) having a patient lie prone on a computer-controlled couch, which comprises a channel or left and right openings, and position the left or right breast of the patient in the channel or the left or right opening, respectively, and (ii) repeatedly imaging the breast using a scanning x-ray source while moving the couch down and up, such that the breast moves down and up in the field between the source of radiation and the detector, which method can further comprise constructing a three-dimensional image of the breast in its natural shape and analyzing the three-dimensional image of the breast; and a system for use in such a method.
US08031830B2
In an X-ray CT apparatus, the X-ray tube generates an X-ray beam during a line-orbit scan, and the collimator plate shields a part of the X-ray beam other than the part that contributes to image reconstruction. The part of the X-ray beam which contributes to the image reconstruction is applied to a subject along the body axis of the subject. The two-dimensional detector system detects the X rays in the same conditions during a circular-orbit scan, while the X-ray tube and the subject are rotating relative to each other. The reconstruction device performs back projection, thereby reconstructing an image.
US08031828B1
In one embodiment, a first set of projection data is acquired using a first portion of a detector and a second set of projection data is acquired using a second portion of the detector. The second set of projection data is supplemented based upon the first set of projection data to generate a supplemented set of projection data. A volumetric image may be generated using the supplemented set of projection data.
US08031820B2
Reconstruction method for reconstructing a first signal (x(t)) regularly sampled at a sub-Nyquist rate, comprising the step of retrieving from the regularly spaced sampled values (ys[n], y(nT)) a set of weights (cn, cnr, ck) and shifts (tn, tk) with which said first signal (x(t)) can be reconstructed. The reconstructed signal (x(t)) can be represented as a sequence of known functions (γ(t)) weighted by the weights (ck) and shifted by the shifts (tk). The sampling rate is at least equal to the rate of innovation (ρ) of the first signal (x(t)).
US08031819B2
Systems and methods for synchronizing an input signal with a substantial mitigation of race conditions and a substantial increase in resolving time are provided. One embodiment includes a system comprising a first latching device configured to latch a first output signal from the input signal and a delay element configured to receive the first output signal and output a delay signal that is a delayed version of the first output signal. The system also includes a pass-gate element configured to receive the first output signal and to output a second output signal in response to a logic state of the delay signal. The second output signal has a delayed input edge without a delayed resolving edge. The system can be configured to force the first output signal to a stable logic state in response to the first output signal having a metastable state.
US08031817B2
A receiver device which is small in scale of circuit configuration yet capable of detecting an error between symbol timing of a received signal and that generated therein and also restraining an error signal from varying due to variation in input level of the received signal. A delayer delays the received signal for one effective symbol period, a correlator calculates a correlation signal from the product of the received signal and the delayed signal, and an integrator calculates an integral value of the correlation signal. First and second accumulative adders accumulatively add up the integral values over respective predetermined periods before and after symbol start timing generated within the receiver device. An error signal generator generates an error signal by normalizing the difference between first and second sums obtained from the first and second accumulative adders, respectively, by means of the sum total of the first and second sums.
US08031810B1
An architecture for use in wireless receiver applications, particularly for ADC conversion of received in-phase I and quadrature Q signals. A single ADC is shared to convert both signals, and the ADC input is alternately switched between the i and q signals. In an embodiment, the ADC is clocked at an increased sample rate, and the digital output signals are aligned to compensate for the phase difference resulting from the implementation of the single ADC.
US08031807B2
A method for detecting the presence of a transmission signal in a wireless spectrum channel. The frequency of a signal is converted from a first frequency to a second frequency. The signal with the second frequency is filtered to remove signals that are not within the band of the second frequency. An averaged periodogram of the signal is calculated. A value of the averaged periodogram is compared to a threshold. The presence of the transmission signal is detected, if the value of the averaged periodogram exceeds the threshold.
US08031791B2
A method for implementation of error correction decoding of quadrature layered modulation QLM communications. A bound on communications capacity derived using ideal QLM is approximated with QLM communications links which support data rates independent of the Shannon bound. Trellis symbol and bit demodulation algorithms recover QLM data symbols and bit algorithms offer computational efficiency at a cost of decisioning errors. Correlated bit decisioning error correction decoding and re-encoding can be implemented in a bit demodulation algorithm. Trellis demodulation and trellis decoding algorithms support parallel implementations, and concatenated implementations wherein the error correction decoding is implemented after the QLM demodulation. Concatenated implementation supports turbo decoding, MAP decoding, convolutional decoding, and block decoding by using the decisioning metrics available from QLM demodulation in place of generating the decisioning metrics directly from the detected symbol measurements. The invention describes how QLM can be used with WiFI, WiMaX, CDMA, OWDMA.
US08031786B2
The present invention discloses a method for improving channel estimation in a communications network. The method comprises estimating first channel characteristics of first sub-carriers carrying pilot signals; obtaining second channel characteristics of second sub-carriers carrying data using the first channel characteristics of the first sub-carriers with an algorithm that comprises selecting a first process from the group consisting of two-dimensional interpolation and extrapolation channel estimation algorithms, breaking down the first process, according to a predetermined rule, into second processes selected from the group consisting of one-dimensional interpolation and extrapolation channel estimation algorithms, and calculating the second channel characteristics of the second sub-carriers carrying data; demodulating and decoding the data carried in the second sub-carriers using the second channel characteristics; obtaining channel information about the first and the second channel characteristics from demodulating and decoding the data; and revising the first and the second channel characteristics using the channel information.
US08031780B2
Described herein is a technology for the presentation of digital video. One implementation, described herein, smoothly presents variable-speed scanning of a compressed digital video stream—for example, a MPEG video stream. One implementation, described herein, smooth scanning (e.g., fast-forward and fast-rewind) video is produced by selectively displaying certain types of frames of a Group-of-Pictures (GOP). The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.
US08031773B2
An image processing apparatus is provided. The image processing apparatus comprises a converting module, a sampling module, a processing module, a storage module, an output module and a display module. The converting module is used for converting an input image to image data. The sampling module is coupled to the converting module for sampling the image data and generating sampling data. The processing module is coupled to the sampling module for processing the sampling data according a preset process and generating processing data. The storage module is coupled to the processing module for storing the processing data. The output module is coupled to the storage module for retrieving the processing data stored in the storage module and generating an image signal. The display module is coupled to the output module for displaying the image signal.
US08031761B2
Configuration or otherwise controlling parameters of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system related to power, band usage and margin is based on collected operational data. Operational data are collected from at least one DSL system operating under a known configuration and/or a profile. A target profile is selected based on binder-level information. The collected operational data is analyzed and conditions for changing the DSL system configuration to the target profile are evaluated, including any applicable transition rules pertaining to changing profiles. If the conditions hold, then the DSL system is instructed to operate with the target profile. Binder-level information can include deployment point information, topology information, and/or crosstalk coupling information. The controlled parameters may have values that are chosen using one or more spectrum balancing methods. Such spectrum balancing methods may be executed infrequently, and may make use of all binder-level information that is available.
US08031754B2
A surface emitting laser element that includes a cylindrical mesa post in which a plurality of semiconductor layers including an active layer is grown and that emits a laser light in a direction perpendicular to a substrate surface, the surface emitting laser element including a dielectric multilayer film on a top surface of the mesa post in at least a portion over a current injection area of the active layer; and a dielectric portion that includes layers fewer than layers of the dielectric multilayer film and that is arranged on a portion excluding the portion over the current injection area on the top surface of the mesa post and on at least part of a side surface of the mesa post.
US08031751B2
The present invention relates to a nitride semiconductor laser device having a structure in which two or more of nitride semiconductor laser elements, having at least a first electrode on a first main surface of a first conductive type conductive substrate, having at least a first conductive type nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second conductive type nitride semiconductor layer, and a second electrode on a second main surface of the conductive substrate, and having a stripe-waveguide structure parallel to the first main surface, are arranged in a direction parallel to the first main surface and a direction perpendicular to the direction of light that is emitted from the stripe waveguide structure in the nitride semiconductor laser device, and the first sub-mount and the first electrode of the nitride semiconductor laser element are electrically and heat-conductively connected, and the second sub-mount and the second electrode of the nitride semiconductor laser element are electrically and heat-conductively connected.
US08031750B2
A light transmitter and an auto-control circuit thereof are provided. The circuit includes a driving module and a feedback module. The driving module is coupled to the feedback module and a load. The driving module provides a driving current for driving the load. The feedback module provides a bias signal to the driving module according to the change of the temperature, for adjusting the driving current and stabilizing an output power.
US08031741B2
A method and apparatus for facilitating inter-network handover comprises receiving a first network service primitive. The first network service primitive is then mapped to a second network service primitive.
US08031739B2
Under a sectorized cell architecture in a mobile communication system, a scrambling code applied to multiplication of a transmission signal is selected and switched among different types of downlink physical channels in a unified manner. One of multiple transmission signals to be transmitted on a corresponding one of the different types of downlink physical channels is generated. A first code is selected according to the type of the physical channel to enable multiplying the transmission signal by the first code. The transmission signal is multiplied by an intracell common scrambling code used in common among sectors in a same cell in addition to or in place of the multiplication of the first code. The transmission signal multiplied by at least one of the first code and the intracell common scrambling code is transmitted on the corresponding physical channel.
US08031735B2
In order to prevent from being incapable of receiving Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, called MBMS hereinafter, service when a user equipment (UE) has a connection for signaling only, the present invention provides a method of selecting an MBMS operating frequency for the UE in a wireless communications system. The method includes determining a radio bearer state of the UE, and switching a current operating frequency of the UE to a preferred frequency corresponding to an MBMS service prioritized by upper layers when the radio bearer state of the UE is in signaling transmission state.
US08031729B2
Systems and methods that provide receive queue provisioning are provided. In one embodiment, a communications system may include, for example, a first queue pair (QP), a second QP, a general pool and a resource manager. The first QP may be associated with a first connection and with at least one of a first limit value and an out-of-order threshold. The first QP may include, for example, a first send queue (SQ). The second QP may be associated with a second connection and with a second limit value. The second QP may include, for example, a second SQ. The general pool may include, for example, a shared receive queue (SRQ) that is shared by the first QP and the second QP. The resource manager may provide, for example, provisioning for the SRQ and may manage the first limit value and the second limit value.
US08031712B1
A network architecture (10) provides Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service as well as multimedia and Internet web-based applications while implementing features common in a traditional telecommunications network. In response to an incoming call dialed to an IP endpoint (32,34), the network will process the call, and in particular, convert the call, if in not already in a VoIP format, to such a format, while mapping signaling associated with the call into a compatible format. The VoIP call is then routed to the IP endpoint. In the event that the call requires an associated multimedia or Internet-web-based application, the network will initiate the application. Processing of the incoming call may require accessing of a common database to acquire a location routing number for the call destination. To afford dynamic addressing of the IP endpoints, each may be referenced by a corresponding Universal Resource Locator (URL) (or other indirect mapping) associated with the IP address of the endpoint.
US08031700B2
In a PPP terminating equipment connected with a switch fabric and terminating PPP link, the PPP terminating equipment has an LCP echo requirement detecting section detecting whether or not a received packet is the LCP echo requirement packet, and an LCP echo response producing section producing a response packet to the LCP echo requirement by rewriting the LCP header of the received LCP echo requirement packet. The PPP terminating equipment thereby produces and returns the response packet to the LCP echo requirement.
US08031698B2
A packet-data network is made intelligent in the sense of a connection-oriented, switched telephony (COST) network by enhancing one or more interconnected IP routers in the network with computer-telephony integration (CTI) processors executing CTI applications. No-charge-to-calling-party IP addresses are assigned and sponsored by various enterprises, who may also maintain call centers having at least one CTI-enhanced IP router connected to the network, and agent stations having IP telephones connected to the call-center-located IP router. With appropriate software and the CTI link to IP routers the performance of well-known conventional telephone systems may be provided in packet networks like the Internet.
US08031692B2
Disclosed is a method for maintaining uplink timing synchronization by a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system, without uplink transmission of a preamble from a UE or without transmission of uplink timing difference information from an Evolved Node B (E-NB) to solve the inefficient use problem of radio resources, occurring due to periodic transmission of uplink signaling and downlink signaling during maintenance of the uplink timing synchronization, and a UE apparatus for the same.
US08031678B2
A method of adapting transmission parameters in a multicarrier communication system having multiple transmit antennas and/or multiple receive antennas, whereby a statistical parameter of a wideband channel is computed, one type of matrix modulation scheme is selected to be used for a given multicarrier modulation symbol, one type of signal constellation is selected to be used for a given multicarrier modulation symbol, and one concatenated channel coding rate is selected to be used for a given multicarrier modulation symbol. Multicarrier modulation symbols are then transmitted using the selected matrix modulation scheme, signal constellation, and concatenated channel coding rate.
US08031669B2
Systems and methods for enhancing the capacity of base stations are provided. A base station can operate in a time division duplex mode within a first frequency band. When a second frequency band is acquired for the base station's geographic region, a duplexer can be added to the base station. The base station can then operate in a frequency division duplex mode, where the first frequency band is used for base station downlink transmissions and the second frequency band is used for uplink transmissions.
US08031663B2
A method for a user equipment setting configurations of an uplink transport channel in a wireless communications system includes receiving an uplink transport channel message, and setting configurations of an enhanced dedicated transport channel (E-DCH) according to the uplink transport channel message when an uplink transport channel of the user equipment is set to be E-DCH.
US08031660B2
A data transmission method in a communication system including transmitting at least one capacity request message from a subscriber station, granting capacity subscriber station-specific by a base station, transmitting at least one capacity grant message from the base station, allocating granted capacity connection-specific by the subscriber station, transmitting from the subscriber station at least one message, which includes information on previous capacity requests, transmitting data from the subscriber station according to capacity allocation, monitoring by the base station request messages, capacity grant messages and received transmissions.
US08031647B2
A system for transceiving radio frequency signals is provided. The system includes a multiplexing apparatus at a base of a tower and communicatively coupled to a cable, and a low noise amplifier at the base of the tower. The multiplexing apparatus includes a transmitter path, a portion of a receiver path, and a transceiver path portion. The low noise amplifier is operable to amplify signals in a first spectral region and is communicatively coupled to the multiplexing apparatus. The multiplexing apparatus is configured to pass signals in the first spectral region between the cable and a first-band base transceiver station via the low noise amplifier. The multiplexing apparatus is further configured to pass signals in a second spectral region between the cable and at least one second-band base transceiver station.
US08031631B2
An information processing apparatus for performing communication through a network, including a communication section to perform communication with a plurality of different information processing apparatuses which commonly use a predetermined space, a characteristic information acquisition section to acquire characteristic information of the different information processing apparatuses including position information and direction information in the predetermined space, connection requirement degree information which indicates a degree of connection requirement for each opposite party of communication, and directional information which indicates a degree of connection requirement for each azimuth, and a priority degree calculation section to calculate a connection priority degree for each of the different information processing apparatuses in the communication based on characteristic information of the information processing apparatus itself and the characteristic information of the different information processing apparatuses acquired by the characteristic information acquisition section.
US08031630B2
Customer virtual local area networks (C-VLANs) connecting multiple LAN segments are set up through a provider network (12). Provider edge bridges (PEs) are coupled to customer edge bridges (CEs) to provide a transparent link between LAN segments. To determine whether a backdoor link is used in the C-VLAN topology, PEs monitor MAC address from a predetermined time after a TCN is received to determine if there are contradictory addresses or new addresses relative to the existing MAC address tables (or forwarding databases) that are indicative of a backdoor link. If so, an unlearning message is sent to bridges in the provider domain. In another embodiment, CEs set a snoop bit to indicate which TCNs must be snooped.
US08031625B2
A system, method and computer readable medium are provided for configuring network interfaces grouped into nodes for monitoring functionality. According to the method, a base address and subnet mask for the network interfaces are received, and a monitoring address is automatically generated for each of the network interfaces based on the base address, the subnet mask, and the nodes. The monitoring addresses is generated such that the monitoring address for each of the network interfaces is on a different subnet than the monitoring addresses for all of the other network interfaces in the same node as that network interface. Additionally, the monitoring addresses are assigned to the network interfaces for use by the monitoring process, with each of the monitoring addresses being assigned by being added as an additional network interface address of its network interface. Also provided is a method for monitoring functionality of network interfaces and providing fault recovery.
US08031606B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that may include an integrated circuit including switch circuitry to determine, at least in part, an action to be executed involving a packet. This determination may be based, at least in part, upon flow information determined, at least in part, from the packet, and packet processing policy information. The circuitry may examine the policy information to determine whether a previously-established packet processing policy has been established that corresponds, at least in part, to the flow information. If the circuitry determines, at least in part, that the policy has not been established and the packet is a first packet in a flow corresponding at least in part to the flow information, the switch circuitry may request that at least one switch control program module establish, at least in part, a new packet processing policy corresponding, at least in part, to the flow information.
US08031598B2
Burst-switching nodes using a common-memory or a time shared space switch and employing flow-rate control are disclosed. Within a switching node, data bursts are segmented into data segments of a fixed size with some segments containing information bits as well as null bits. A switching node handles data streams allocated different flow rates and, for any data stream, the internal flow rate through the switching node can be higher than the external flow rate due to null padding of segmented data. The switching node is provided with a sufficient internal capacity expansion in order to offset the effect of null padding. A controller of the switching node is provided with a flow-rate-regulation apparatus to enable scheduling the transfer of data segments across the switching node in a manner that guarantees adherence to the allocated information flow rates.
US08031592B2
There is described a network having redundancy properties, an Ethernet switch, and a method for configuring the network. At least two network segments which are formed with a plurality of Ethernet switches are connected to one another by means of a redundant connection comprising at least two coupling channels. During configuration, a programming device stores a logic name for the redundant connection in the respective memory of associated coupling devices. In a network startup phase, said coupling devices determine the respective other connection partner associated with the same redundant connection by distributing special messages in which they enter the logic name of the redundant connection. They use an order criterion to determine which coupling channel is active and which coupling channel is deactivated during trouble-free operation.
US08031588B2
A disclosed example method involves identifying a first logical circuit identifier for a first logical circuit in a first network. When a failure is detected in the first logical circuit, a second logical circuit identifier for a second logical circuit in a failover network separate from the first network is identified and the first logical circuit is renamed without manual intervention to identify the first logical circuit using the second logical circuit identifier. The second logical circuit is to reroute data from the first logical circuit.
US08031586B2
A timing adjustment value is received, and from the received timing adjustment value is determined an integer portion and a fractional portion. In the frequency domain, the determined fractional portion is applied by rotating a signal. Optionally, a phase shift may also be imposed with the rotation. In the time domain, the determined integer portion is applied by one of inserting samples in the rotated signal or removing samples from the rotated signal in an amount corresponding to the determined integer portion. After the signal rotation to apply the fractional portion, the active sub-carriers are mapped, and the transition from frequency domain to time domain occurs by means of an inverse Fourier transform. A cyclic prefix CP may be added after the Fourier transform, separately or functionally combined with the integer portion shift by modifying the size of the CP to impose the determined integer portion. After other conventional processing known in the art, the rotated signal as advanced/delayed by the sample removal/addition is then transmitted.
US08031569B2
Example embodiments provide various techniques for playing data from an optical media drive. The optical media drive may detect certain media access information for use in accessing optical media. This media access information is stored in a memory that is configured to retain the media access information after the optical media drive is deactivated. The optical media drive reads the data from an optical media and this data is transferred to a buffer until, with reference to some threshold parameter, the optical media drive is deactivated. The optical media drive may be reactivated in reference to another threshold parameter and the media access information is thereafter retrieved from the memory. The optical media drive may then read from the optical media using the provided media access information.
US08031568B2
A disk device includes a main control unit controlling the operation of a controlled object on the basis of an error signal calculated from a target signal of the controlled object and an observation signal of the controlled object, a repetitive control unit sampling the error signal with a sampling clock pulse to obtain a repetitive signal component generated in synchronization with rotation of the disk medium from the sampled error signal, a sampling clock generation unit generating the sampling clock pulse and resetting a timing at which the sampling clock pulse is generated in accordance with a rotation detecting pulse and a sampling clock limit unit limiting generation of the sampling clock pulse at a timing immediately before generation of the rotation detecting pulse.
US08031565B2
In an optical disk apparatus having an exclusive RF detector plane mounted therefore, as a method of obtaining a synthesized readout signal based on band-synthesis is used in order to obtain a readout signal having a good S/N ratio, a waveform distortion easily caused by a delay time difference or a sensitivity difference in the playback at higher speeds can be prevented. In order to correct the delay time difference or a sensitivity error in two channels of RF signals to be band-synthesized according to the selection of the sensitivity or playback speed, a delay time controller, a sensitivity controller, and a selector for selecting a combination method are engaged. An information holder for such control or selection is also provided.
US08031562B2
A master disk for magnetic transfer of a reference servo signal in a spiral mode, having a pattern including a plurality of dots groups, which are disposed at different radial positions of the master disk with a first pitch, and correspond to the reference servo signal in the spiral mode. Each of the plurality of dot groups includes a plurality of dots, successively disposed with a second pitch along a circumferential direction of the master disk at a same one of the radial positions. Each of the plurality of dots is of a ferromagnetic material, and has four sides, two opposing sides thereof extending in the circumferential direction, and the other two opposing sides thereof extending in a radial direction of the master disk.
US08031559B2
The present invention relates to a pulse alarm clock consisting of a main body of the alarm clock and two quick-fastening straps, wherein it has a high-voltage pulse generator installed inside the main body of the alarm clock, which is controlled by a timing device therefrom, and in addition, both its positive and negative pulse electrodes, which are controlled by a transfer switch, are extending outward along with an output-end and then combining all together at two quick-fastening straps, and thereat, it is able to fasten the alarm clock at a high sensitive portion of a human body with the utilization of these two quick-fastening straps, thereby, when it is reaching the preset alarm time on the alarm clock, it will activate the high-voltage pulse generator to creating the vibration effect that will be transferred to a high sensitive portion of the human body through these two quick-fastening straps and thus achieving the objective of wakening the user from sleep consequently.
US08031554B2
A circuit for controlling the loading of write data in a semiconductor memory device includes a global bus; a data block configured to selectively load data of a predetermined first burst length or data of a second burst length, which is a half of the first burst length, for writing on the global bus in response to a control signal; and a memory bank configured to write the data of the first burst length or the data of the second burst length.
US08031545B2
A low read current architecture for memory. Bit lines of a cross point memory array are allowed to be charged by a selected word line until a minimum voltage differential between a memory state and a reference level is assured.
US08031537B2
In the storage device of the invention, latch control is performed on a series of signals in response to latch control signals. Latch control terminals are provided to which the latch control signals are input respectively and a plurality of signal terminals to which a series of signals are input. Herein, a plurality of latch circuits is provided so as to correspond to the plurality of signal terminals, respectively. The plurality of latch circuits are located within a specified distance from their associated signal terminals respectively and within a specified distance from the latch control terminals. The delays of signal transmission from the signal terminals to their associated latch circuits can be equalized and the delays of signal transmission from the latch control terminals to which the latch control signals for executing latch control are input to the latch circuits can be equalized. This contributes to a reduction in the skew of the latch characteristics of the signals.
US08031534B2
A semiconductor memory device is provided that is capable of reading out mode register information stored in a register adapted for LPDDR2 (Low Power DDR2), through DQ pads. The semiconductor memory device includes a mode register control unit configured to receive address signals, a mode register write signal and a mode register read signal and generate a flag signal and at least one output information signal, and a global I/O line latch unit for transferring the output information signal to a global I/O line in response to the flag signal.
US08031531B1
A memory system comprises charge storage cells and a refresh control module. The charge storage cells have a charge level decay that is based on lifetime erase operations performed on the charge storage cells. The refresh control module increases charge levels of the charge storage cells to offset the charge level decay without first erasing the charge storage cells. A method of controlling a memory system comprises determining charge level decay of charge storage cells having charge level decay characteristics that are based on lifetime erase operations performed on the charge storage cells; and increasing charge levels of the charge storage cells to offset the charge level decay without first erasing the charge storage cells.
US08031525B2
A flash memory device that includes a voltage generator circuit configured to generate a program voltage, a pass voltage, and a high voltage; a plurality of planes configured to perform a program operation in response to the program, pass, and high voltages and to verify the program operation, respectively; and control logic configured to control the planes in response to verification results from the planes, wherein the control logic controls the planes so as to interrupt the program and pass voltages or the high voltage from being applied to program-passed planes.
US08031524B2
Innovative structures and methods to store information capable of being represented by an n-bit binary word in electrically erasable Programmable Read-Only memories (EEPROM) are disclosed. To program a state below the highest threshold voltage for an N-type Field Effect Transistor (NFET) based EEPROM, the stored charge in the floating gate for the highest threshold voltage is erased down to the desired threshold voltage level of the EEPROM by applying an appropriate voltage to the control gate and drain of the NFET. The erase-down uses drain-avalanche-hot hole injection (DAHHI) for the NFET memory device to achieve the precise threshold voltage desired for the NFET EEPROM device. The method takes advantage of the self-convergent mechanism from the DAHHI current in the device, when the device reaches a steady state. For a “READ” operation, a read voltage is applied to the control gate and the drain is connected by a current load to the positive voltage supply. Using the distinctive threshold voltage associated with the different stored charges, the output voltage from the drain is distinctively recognized and converted back to the original n-bit word. A similar method for a PFET EEPROM is also disclosed.
US08031520B2
A method for programming a memory is provided. The memory includes a number of cells and has a preset PV level for a target cell. The method includes programming a first-side of the target cell to have a Vt level not lower than the preset PV level; reading a Vt level of a second-side of the target cell and accordingly obtaining a corrected PV level corresponding to the first-side; and programming the first-side of the target cell to have a Vt level not lower than the corresponding corrected PV level.
US08031513B2
A semiconductor device includes: a memory cell; a precharge circuit; a negative potential applying circuit; and a sense amplifier. The memory cell is connected to a first bit line and store data. The precharge circuit is connected to the first and second bit lines and precharges the first and second bit lines to a ground potential. The negative potential applying circuit is connected to the first bit line and applies a negative potential to the first bit line. The sense amplifier is connected to the first and second bit lines and read data based on a difference between a first potential of the first bit line and a second potential of the second bit line. An absolute value of the negative potential is smaller than the difference between the first potential and the second potential.
US08031511B2
At the time of, for example, a set operation (SET) for making a phase-change element in a crystalline state, a pulse of a voltage Vreset required for melting the element is applied to the phase-change element, and subsequently a pulse of a voltage Vset that is lower than Vreset and is required for crystallizing the element is applied thereto. And, the magnitude of this voltage Vset is then changed depending on the ambient temperature so that the magnitude of the voltage Vset is small as the temperature becomes high (TH). In this manner, a margin of a write operation between the set operation and a reset operation (RESET) for making the element to be in amorphous state is improved.
US08031509B2
A memory cell including a memory element comprising an electrolytic insulator in contact with a conductive metal oxide (CMO) is disclosed. The CMO includes a crystalline structure and can comprise a pyrochlore oxide, a conductive binary oxide, a multiple B-site perovskite, and a Ruddlesden-Popper structure. The CMO includes mobile ions that can be transported to/from the electrolytic insulator in response to an electric field of appropriate magnitude and direction generated by a write voltage applied across the electrolytic insulator and CMO. The memory cell can include a non-ohmic device (NOD) that is electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned between a cross-point of conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array in a single layer of memory or multiple vertically stacked layers of memory that are fabricated over a substrate that includes active circuitry for data operations on the array layer(s).
US08031508B2
A resistance change memory device includes: a memory cell array with memory cells arranged therein, the memory cell having a variable resistance element for storing a rewritable resistance value; a reference cell formed of the same memory cells as those set in a high resistance state in the memory cell array, the reference cell being trimmed with selection of the number of parallel-connected memory cells to have a reference current value used for detecting data in the memory cell array; and a sense amplifier configured to compare a cell current value of a memory cell selected in the memory cell array with the reference current value of the reference cell.
US08031505B2
A three dimensional memory module and system are formed with at least one slave chip stacked over a master chip. Through semiconductor vias (TSVs) are formed through at least one of the master and slave chips. The master chip includes a memory core for increased capacity of the memory module/system. In addition, capacity organizations of the three dimensional memory module/system resulting in efficient wiring is disclosed for forming multiple memory banks, multiple bank groups, and/or multiple ranks of the three dimensional memory module/system.
US08031504B2
A memory device can be directly mounted on a motherboard supporting DDR3 SDRAM, and then the memory device have advantages of the fly-by bus topology and the T branch topology established by the joint electron device engineering council (JEDEC). Thus, the system performance of a desktop computer in a unit interval can be enhanced.
US08031501B1
Present embodiments describe a CAM device having a segmented CAM array. Each segment of the CAM array, or cell blocks, includes one or more rows of CAM cells. One or more of the cell blocks in the CAM array are selectively enabled during a search operation based on a detected matching condition of another cell block. By selectively enabling cell blocks during search operations only when needed, energy consumption is reduced. Selectively enabling a cell block includes selectively pre-charging match lines to the cell block, selectively enabling word lines to the cell block, and selectively enabling comparand line to the cell block. In accordance with certain embodiments, the CAM device is configurable to perform search operations in a pipelined manner. Accordingly, the CAM device is capable of performing multiple search operations simultaneously.
US08031500B2
The present invention discloses a bridgeless active power factor corrector with a logic control comprising a high frequency switch controller, a boost inductor, an output filtering capacitor, two boost transistor modules, two boost diodes, two AC input voltage polarity detectors, and two low frequency switch drivers. With a coupling signal, the two AC input voltage polarity detectors respectively control the two low frequency switch drivers in conjunction with the high frequency switch controller to drive the two boost transistor modules with a logic control so that the inductor current releasing electric energy from the boost inductor can flow through the channels of the two boost transistor modules to effectively reduce the body diode conduction loss.
US08031498B2
An active diode is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for operating a device. The electronic device includes a transistor connected between a first and a second connection of the electronic device; a control device coupled to a control connection of the transistor; and an energy storage device coupled to the control device.
US08031491B2
A power converter control method and apparatus is disclosed. An example power converter controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a feedback sampling circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power converter to generate feedback signal samples during enabled switching cycles. The power converter controller also includes a switch conduction control circuit coupled to the feedback sampling circuit. The switch conduction control circuit includes switch conduction enable circuitry coupled to enable or disable the conduction of a power switch during a switching cycle in response to the feedback signal samples. The switch conduction control circuit also includes switch conduction scheduling circuitry coupled to determine a varying number of future enabled and disabled switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles.
US08031490B2
To provide a power supply circuit which can be applied worldwide without using a high withstand voltage switching element and can supply a load device with stable power. A charging section is arranged between a turn-off capacitor and a load coil. The charging section has the anode connected to the positive terminal of a feedback coil and the cathode connected to the cathode of a zener diode. Thus, when a voltage of a commercial power supply is high, the charging section operates, the turn-off capacitor is quickly charged, an on-period of a transistor is shortened, and an excessive voltage is prevented from being applied between the drain and the source of the transistor. At the same time, an output characteristic indicating relationship between the voltage of the commercial power supply and a current flowing in the load device is permitted to be flat.
US08031489B2
The configuration of a synchronous rectification circuit and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed circuit includes a converter including a first switch and a first synchronous rectifier, and a burst mode controller including a logic process module performing one of functions of delaying one of a non-integer and at least one operating periods to generate a synchronous rectification driving signal of the first synchronous rectifier counting from a beginning of a first pulse of a driving signal of the first switch during a working time of a burst period, and turning off the synchronous rectification driving signal of the first synchronous rectifier by one of the non-integer operating period and the at least one operating period ahead of an ending of a last operating period of the driving signal of the first switch during the working time of the burst period.
US08031484B2
An IC package includes a substrate and a plurality of thermal dissipating vias perforating the substrate. The substrate includes a power plane, a ground plane, and a dielectric layer disposed between the power plane and the ground plane. The power plane includes a power region and a non-power region isolated from each other. The thermal dissipating vias are connected to the non-power regions of the power plane and to the ground plane.
US08031482B2
A mounting assembly device, system and method support multimedia/video distribution functionalities. The mounting assembly includes a front face and a rear housing sized to fit within a conventional wall box, e.g., a single gang box. The mounting assembly includes a balun that is adapted to receive and convert signals, such that signals received by the balun may be transmitted from a coaxial cable to twisted pair cable, and vice versa. Additional communication modalities may be supported by the mounting assembly device/system, e.g., conventional jack/plug based communications and/or wireless communications.
US08031480B2
In a structure for mounting a first feedthrough capacitor and a second feedthrough capacitor on a mounting surface of a substrate, the first and second feedthrough capacitors are disposed so as to be substantially parallel and to face each other in their partial regions, and a current in the partial region of the first feedthrough capacitor flows in a direction opposite to that in the partial region of the second feedthrough capacitor.
US08031475B2
An integrated circuit package system includes: providing a flexible circuit substrate; mounting an integrated circuit or an integrated circuit package over the flexible circuit substrate and connected to the flexible circuit substrate with interconnects; and encapsulating the integrated circuit or integrated circuit package with a mounded encapsulation having a first level and a second level, the second level having the flexible circuit substrate folded thereover.
US08031471B2
An enclosure comprises first and second sections formed of a transparent material, a plurality of wall sections, a plurality of vent holes, a hinge, a cable access and a lock. The wall sections are joined to the first section to form the enclosure. The vent holes are formed in the wall sections to provide thermal flow through the enclosure. The hinge connects the second section to one of the plurality of wall sections to form a door in the enclosure. The cable access is located to allow authorized power and data connections within the enclosure when the door is in an open position, and sized to prevent unauthorized data connections within the enclosure when the door is in a closed position. The lock secures the enclosure by locking the door in the closed position.
US08031456B2
An explosion-proof and flameproof pullout safety surge-absorbing module includes a surge-absorbing unit, a protective unit, a function member, and a hot melt component. The unit has a body defining an electrode side. The middle section of electrode side defines a partially exposed electrode side further connected to a first pin. The protective component includes a base and a top cover conjoint to the base. The body is between the base and the top cover. The function member includes a recovery component and a function part. The recovery component is flexible, of which one terminal connects the base and the other terminal connects the function part pivoting onto the base and working in a first state and a second state. In the first state, one terminal of the function part is connected to the partially exposed electrode side; in the second state, the hot melt component is heated and melt.
US08031451B2
A solid state power control module contains non-volatile memory. A switch for opening is provided to break a supply of power to a component. The switch is operable to trip (open) when an undesirable condition is detected, and further to be opened upon receiving a control signal. A status of the switch is stored in the non-volatile memory. A detector is provided for identifying when a module has been mounted in a housing, and communicates with the non-volatile memory if it is determined that the module is newly installed in a housing. A system and method are also claimed.
US08031449B2
A short circuit protection system includes an inductor, a switch, a voltage sensing circuit, and a controller. The switch and inductor are electrically coupled to be in series with one another. A voltage sensing circuit is coupled across the switch and the inductor. A controller, coupled to the voltage sensing circuit and the switch, opens the switch when a voltage at the output terminal of the inductor transitions from above a threshold voltage to below the threshold voltage. The controller closes the switch when the voltage at the output terminal of the inductor transitions from below the threshold voltage to above the threshold voltage.
US08031433B2
A non-conformal integrated side shield structure is disclosed for a PMR write head wherein the sidewalls of the side shield are not parallel to the pole tip sidewalls. Thus, the side gap distance between the leading pole tip edge and side shield is different than the side gap distance between the trailing pole tip edge and side shield. As a result, there is a reduced side fringing field and improved overwrite performance. The side gap distance is constant with increasing distance from the ABS along the main pole layer. A fabrication method is provided where the trailing shield and side shield are formed in the same step to afford a self-aligned shield structure. Adjacent track erasure induced by flux choking at the side shield and trailing shield interface can be eliminated by this design. The invention encompasses a tapered main pole layer in a narrow pole tip section.
US08031423B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk having a plurality of data tracks. An ideal data tracks per inch (TPI) profile is determined for the disk, and an actual data TPI profile is generated that estimates the ideal data TPI profile by combining a first segment of a first predetermined data TPI profile and a second segment of a second predetermined data TPI profile.
US08031422B1
A disk controller for a hard disk drive includes a disk formatter interfaced via an NRZ bus to a read channel for the disk. The disk formatter includes an LFSR accumulator coupled to the NRZ bus, as well as an LSFR generator that generates synthetic test data for the disk formatter. Under control of a test flag which signifies a test mode, the LSFR generator generates synthetic test data, which is used by the disk formatter to drive the NRZ bus. The LSFR accumulator accumulates data on the NRZ bus, together with data on servo information and sector information. An interface is provided through which the accumulated information is provided to test equipment, for offline analysis of the accumulated information, so as to confirm proper operation of the disk subsystem and/or to detect failures therein.
US08031416B2
An optical axis restriction surface, which restricts movement of a first lens frame in an optical axis direction, and a fixing slit, which is located in rear of the optical axis restriction surface, are formed on an end portion of a second lens frame. Lens frame hold portions, which restrict rotation of the first lens frame about an optical axis and movement of the first lens frame in a right-and-left direction, are formed on both sides of the fixing slit. The lens frame hold portions are provided with assembly reference surfaces which restrict movement of the first lens frame in an up-and-down direction. An engaging portion, which is engaged with the fixing slit, and two projection portions, which come in contact with the assembly reference surfaces, are formed on the first lens frame.
US08031407B2
An imaging assembly for an image sensor may include a lens, a transparent substrate and two aspherical optical coatings on each side of the substrate. The imaging assembly can also incorporate an opaque coating with an opening in-line with the lens to form an aperture, an anti-reflection coating, and an infrared filter coating.
US08031406B2
A head up display for vehicles includes: at least one light source; at least one light guide set in front of the light source; an image panel set in front of the light guide; and a surface with the feature of at least partial specular reflection. Wherein the light emitted from the light source illuminates the image panel via the light guide to project an image on the image panel onto the surface and then be reflected to an observer, so as to form a virtual image observed by the observer. The light guide of the present invention can reduce the light loss of the head up display for vehicles and make the illumination light on the image panel more homogeneous and possessing high directionality, and so as to improve the brightness and quality of the virtual image formed by the head up display for vehicles.
US08031401B2
First and a second wave plates using quartz crystal having birefringence are laminated together in such a manner that their optical axes intersect to form a laminated wave plate functioning as a half-wave plate as a whole. Phase differences of the first and the second wave plates relative to an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray with respect to a predetermined wavelength λ are set to be Γ1 and Γ2, an order of a high-mode order is set to be a natural number n, whereby the high-order mode laminated half-wave plate is formed so as to satisfy: Γ1=180°+360°×n; and Γ2=180°+360°×n.
US08031399B2
An illumination device for a light microscope with an objective, in particular for a stereo-microscope, illuminates an object plane of the light microscope. An illumination beam path of the illumination device is defined by a light source, a field diaphragm, illumination optics with at least one illumination lens, and at least one deflection element. The object plane of the microscope is obliquely illuminated with incident illumination, wherein an axis of the illumination beam path forms an angle β greater than 0° with an optical axis of the objective. The field diaphragm, the illumination optics and the deflection element are arranged and orientated relative to one another such that a diaphragm plane which is defined by the field diaphragm, an illumination lens plane defined by the illumination lens, and an image plane of the image of the field diaphragm, which is produced by the illumination optics, without deflection by the deflection element, intersect at least approximately along a common straight line and that the image plane of the image of the field diaphragm which is produced by the illumination optics and which is deflected by the deflection element, runs in or parallel to the object plane. Sharp, undistorted imaging of the field diaphragm into the object plane or into a plane running parallel thereto is achieved.
US08031397B1
A magnon laser comprising: a Magnon Gain Medium, wherein the Magnon Gain Medium supports generation of nonequilibrium magnons, and a means for pumping nonequilibrium electrons into the Magnon Gain Medium. Propagation of nonequilibrium electrons in Magnon Gain Medium causes generation of nonequilibrium magnons. Magnon Gain Medium comprises ferromagnetic materials at room temperatures including the half-metallic ferromagnets.
US08031394B2
A wavelength conversion system includes a Mach-Zehnder interferometer including two optical waveguides, a non-linear medium provided on one of the two optical waveguides, and a branching ratio adjuster for adjusting the branching ratio of multiplexed light produced by multiplexing signal light and pumping light so that the powers of the signal light and the pumping light which are to be emitted from the two optical waveguides are equal to each other. The multiplexed light whose branching ratio is adjusted by the branching ratio adjuster is introduced into the two optical waveguides such that the non-linear medium generates phase conjugation light of the signal light and the light guided through the one optical waveguide and the light guided through the other one of the two optical waveguides interfere with each other so that the phase conjugation light is extracted as wavelength conversion light.
US08031389B2
An all-solid-state electrochromic device comprises a transparent base material, and an electrochromic multilayer-stack structure formed on the transparent base material. The electrochromic multilayer-stack structure comprises a first transparent-conductive film formed on the transparent base material, an ion-storage layer formed on the first transparent-conductive film, a solid-electrolyte layer formed on the ion-storage layer, and an electrochromic layer formed on the solid-electrolyte layer. The electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable electrochromic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable layer that comprises at least one of antimony and an antimony-based alloy. A second transparent-conductive film can be formed on the reflection-controllable layer, or between the reflection-controllable layer and the solid-electrolyte layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the second transparent-conductive layer comprises a base metal and/or a base metal alloy.
US08031388B2
A two-element f-θ lens used for a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) laser scanning unit includes a first lens and a second lens, the first lens is a positive refraction meniscus lens of which the convex surface is disposed on a side of a MEMS mirror, the second lens is a positive refraction meniscus lens of which the convex surface is disposed on the side of the MEMS mirror, at least one optical surface is an Aspherical surface in both main scanning direction and sub scanning direction, and satisfies special optical conditions. The two-element f-θ lens corrects the nonlinear relationship between scanned angle and time into the linear relationship between image spot distances and time. The two-element f-θ lens focuses the scan light to the target in the main scanning and sub scanning directions, such that the purpose of the scanning linearity effect and the high resolution scanning can be achieved.
US08031383B2
An apparatus for reading from or writing to holographic storage media, and more specifically a common aperture type apparatus for reading from or writing to holographic storage media with multiple reference beams having a reduced noise. In a common aperture type apparatus for reading from or writing to a holographic storage medium using shift-multiplexing, with a coaxial arrangement of two or more reference beams and an object beam or a reconstructed object beam, the reference beams being arranged around the object beam or the reconstructed object beam in a storage layer of the holographic storage medium. Each of the reference beams is located essentially halfway between two adjacent central peaks of shift-multiplexed holograms.
US08031381B2
An image reading apparatus which is capable of appropriately performing show-through reduction processing and foundation color reduction processing in accordance with an operation for changing the color of a background member to another one having different color that is read along with an original. An image reading unit reads an image of a conveyed original. A background member has a white-colored member and a black-colored member and is disposed in such a manner that it opposed to the image reading unit. A moving unit moves the background member. A CPU determines a degree of image processing to be applied to read image data depending on the color of an opposing portion of the background member, which is opposed to the image reading unit that is reading an original.
US08031378B2
There is provided an image forming device that does not require an original image scanning operation upon copying of an original for the second time or later in a device for preventing illegal copying with the use of paper fingerprint information. Upon registration of the paper fingerprint information, original image data is scanned from the original. Also, the paper fingerprint information is scanned. The image forming device associates the original image data and the paper fingerprint information with each other to register them in an information processing device. Upon copying, paper fingerprint information scanned from an original is transmitted to the information processing device to request the device to determine whether or not the paper fingerprint information has been registered. If the paper fingerprint information has been registered is received, the original image data registered in association with the paper fingerprint information is retrieved from the information processing device.
US08031374B2
A control section 9 of a thermal printer 1 performs CMYK/RGB-gray conversion, gradation conversion, halftone conversion for an input image data 3, and performs shift processing and rotation processing in accordance with the resolution and the number of lines of the thermal printer 1. The control section 9 performs heat-accumulation correction processing for the image data subjected to the halftone processing, and the image data subjected to the shift processing and the rotation processing, and then prints a hairline image. When a circular hairline is printed, the control section 9 defines a pattern of circular hairlines, and produces a horizontal hairline pattern. Further, the control section 9 shifts the produced horizontal hairline pattern downward to thereby produce another horizontal hairline pattern, performs polar coordinate conversion for the produced horizontal hairline patterns to thereby produce two circular hairlines, performs the heat-accumulation correction processing for the two produced circular hairlines, and prints them.
US08031372B2
A method processes image data in a color separation to attenuate printing defects arising from misalignment of serially arranged printheads that eject ink for the color separation. The method includes processing image values of the color separation with a first rendering process that corresponds to one printhead in a plurality of serially arranged printheads for printing the color separation, processing the image values of the color separation with a second rendering process that differs from the first rendering process for at least one other printhead in the plurality of serially arranged printheads for printing the color separation, generating firing signals for the one printhead from the rendered image values generated by the first rendering process, and generating firing signals for the at least one other printhead from the rendered image values generated by the second rendering process.
US08031367B2
A liquid ejection device of the invention is constructed to eject a liquid to an ejection object. The liquid ejection device has a dot data generator configured to generate dot data from given image data, where the dot data represents a dot creation state in each pixel set on the ejection object. The liquid ejection device also has a liquid ejector equipped with a nozzle array including multiple nozzles aligned in a specific direction substantially perpendicular to a scanning direction. The liquid ejector makes multiple scans of the nozzle array in the scanning direction in a common printing area according to the generated dot data and ejects the liquid to the ejection object to create dots. The dot data generator has a specific print mode that generates corrective dot data by skipping a virtual dot array created by one scan from a group of dot arrays to be created by the multiple scans of the nozzle array, in order to prevent a potential contact with a dot array to be created by another scan. This arrangement desirably prevents unevenness of liquid ejection caused by a meandering scan of at least either the liquid ejector or the ejection object.
US08031349B2
An approach is provided for securely printing electronic documents using a portable media. The approach is applicable to a wide variety of contexts and implementations and includes secure direct printing of electronic documents, secure direct printing of electronic documents with remote user authentication and secure printing of electronic documents with remote data management. The particular information provided on the portable media varies, depending upon the implementation. Furthermore, the approach provides varying degrees of security and may be used in conjunction with conventional printing of electronic documents.
US08031340B2
An optical system for a flow cytometer having a flow channel with an interrogation zone and an illumination source that impinges the flow channel in the interrogation zone includes a lens system and a detection system. The lens system preferably includes at least two lens surfaces located on opposite sides of the flow channel and configured to collect and collimate light from the interrogation zone. The detection system, configured to detect light from the lens system, preferably includes first and second detectors, a first filter that passes a first wavelength of light and reflects a second wavelength of light, and a second filter that reflects the first wavelength of light and passes the second wavelength of light, wherein the first and second filters are aligned such that light reflected from the first filter passes into the second detector and light reflected from the second filter passes into the first detector.
US08031334B2
The invention relates to a method for determining at least one influencing variable acting on the eccentricity in a goniometer, using a detector arrangement consisting of four optical detector elements, and a rotational body comprising a plurality of pattern elements arranged around a pattern center, the rotational body being rotatably arranged about an axis. According to said method, at least some of the pattern elements are reproduced on the detector arrangement, the positions of the pattern elements reproduced on the detector arrangement are resolved, and the eccentricity of the pattern center in relation to a detector center of the detector arrangement is determined. A plurality of such eccentricity measurements for different rotational positions enables different influencing variables acting on the current eccentricity to be separated, especially by forming units.
US08031323B2
A variable focus liquid crystal lens includes a nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture having a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure, and an electrode for applying a substantially uniform voltage to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture. The lens is created within a cell by applying a substantially uniform electric field to the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture within the cell, while simultaneously irradiating the nematic liquid crystal/monomer mixture using a laser beam having a shaped intensity distribution, so as to induce formation of a spatially inhomogenous polymer network structure within the cell.
US08031320B2
An LCD panel includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The opposite substrate is opposite to the array substrate, and the liquid crystal layer is disposed between the array substrate and the opposite substrate. The array substrate includes a substrate, an array, a sealant and a stop structure. The array disposed on the substrate is a thin-film transistor array or a color filter array. The sealant has a first end and a second end, and the first and second ends form an inlet. The stop structure is placed at least between the first end of the sealant frame and a side of the substrate.
US08031313B2
A lateral electric field type LCD device displays images uniformly and stably, where abnormally displayed areas caused by mechanical deformation such as a press with a finger do not remain on the display screen for a long time. A first liquid crystal driving electrode and a second liquid crystal driving electrode comprise a first bend and a second bend, respectively. Each pixel region is divided into a first sub-region and a second sub-region by the first and second bends as a boundary in such a way that a rotation direction of liquid crystal molecules in the first sub-region is different from that in the second sub-region. A boundary stabilization electrode is formed at least one of the first and second bends, wherein a shape or position of the boundary stabilization electrode deviates from a line of symmetry of the first and second bends.
US08031309B2
A liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of substrates, at least one polarizing film provided outside the pair of substrates, a liquid crystal cell having a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter provided inside the pair of substrates, a first retardation film compensating for light of a wavelength or wavelengths corresponding to a color or colors of any one or two of the three color filters, and a second retardation film compensating for light of a wavelength that is not compensated for by the first retardation film.
US08031303B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a pair of substrate; a liquid crystal layer that is formed between the pair of substrates, and that is composed of liquid crystal having negative dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal being vertically aligned in an initial state; dot regions each having a transmissive display region and a reflective display region; a liquid-crystal-layer-thickness adjusting layer that is provided between the liquid crystal layer and at least one of the pair of substrates to make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display region smaller than the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display region; a color filter layer that includes plural types of colored layers having different colors corresponding to the respective dot regions, and that is provided on at least one of the pair of substrates; and alignment regulators that are provided on an inner surface of at least one of the pair of substrates to regulate the alignment of the liquid crystal in the reflective display regions. In the above-mentioned structure, a colored region having the colored layer formed therein and a non-colored region not having the colored layer formed therein are provided in a portion of the colored layer that is arranged in the reflective display region, and the alignment regulators are arranged so as to overlap the non-colored regions of the color filter layer in the reflective display regions in plan view.
US08031282B2
An active matrix substrate has a structure that prevents a drain extraction line from breaking without a plurality of active elements such as thin film transistor elements, metal-insulator-metal elements, MOS transistor elements, diodes, and varistors being disposed, and is suited for use in a large-size liquid crystal television or a like liquid crystal display device equipped with a large-size liquid crystal display panel. The active matrix substrate includes an active element connected, via a drain extraction line, to a storage capacitor upper electrode, wherein the drain extraction line has at least two routes.
US08031281B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display panel includes a substrate, parallel gate lines disposed on the substrate, parallel source lines disposed on the substrate and crossing the gate lines insultingly, and first protection elements and second protection elements electrically connected to the gate lines and the source lines respectively. The first and second protection elements are capacitors, which can break down to discharge electrostatic buildup therein.
US08031280B2
A liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a picture element electrode in a first substrate on the liquid crystal layer side in each picture element region, and a counter electrode in a second substrate opposing the picture element electrode via the liquid crystal layer. In each picture element region, the picture element electrode includes a solid portion including multiple unit solid portions; and the liquid crystal layer is in a vertical orientation state with no voltage, and upon voltage application, forms a liquid crystal domain taking a radially-inclined orientation in positional correspondence with each unit solid portion by an oblique electric field produced near the unit solid portion. The liquid crystal display device further includes a storage capacitor connected electrically in parallel to a liquid crystal capacitor, and the storage capacitor is at least partially located in an area with no solid portion of the first substrate.
US08031267B2
Upsampling for video signals is described. In particular chroma pixels may be upsampled in a luminance, chrominance signal using motion adaptive approaches. In one example, the operations include selecting an absent chroma pixel of the current frame, developing a spatial candidate value for the absent chroma pixel using pixel values for nearby pixels in the current frame, developing a temporal candidate value for the absent chroma pixel using pixel values for nearby pixels in the previous and subsequent frames, computing a value for the absent chroma pixel by combining the spatial candidate value and the temporal candidate value, and producing an output video frame including the computed absent chroma pixel values.
US08031264B2
A wall-mounted security camera is provided. A camera unit captures video within a field of vision of the camera unit. A base module couple to a power outlet, controls the camera unit, receives an input video signal from the camera unit, and transmits an output video signal across a network. A configurable rod is in communication with the camera unit and the base module. A first end of the configurable rod is mounted on the base module and a second end of the configurable rod is mounted on the camera unit. The configurable rod is movable between a first position where the camera unit is a maximum distance from the base module and a second position where the camera unit is disposed adjacent to the base module.
US08031261B2
An image pickup apparatus detects a face region out of an image signal representative of a field picked up by an image pickup device, and compares the lightness of the face region or a person region with the lightness of a background region also included in the image signal to thereby determine whether or not a subject is backlit. The apparatus causes, if the subject is backlit, the image pickup apparatus to execute actual pickup with backlight correction.
US08031259B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array, a scanning circuit that selects a specific pixel among the pixels by selecting a pixel row and a pixel column and a signal output circuit that outputs a signal from the pixel selected by the scanning circuit. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of first focus detection pixels and a plurality of second focus detection pixels. The first focus detection pixels and the second focus detection pixels are disposed within a single row or a single column. The scanning circuit selects a plurality of first or second focus detection pixels disposed within the single row or column at once. The signal output circuit combines signals from the plurality of first or second focus detection pixels selected by the scanning circuit and outputs a resulting composite signal.
US08031258B2
A method for using a capture device to capture at least two video signals corresponding to a scene, includes: providing a two-dimensional image sensor having a plurality of pixels; reading a first group of pixels from the image sensor at a first frame rate to produce a first video signal of the image scene; reading a second group of pixels from the image sensor at a second frame rate for producing a second video signal; and using at least one of the video signals for adjusting one or more of the capture device parameters.
US08031254B2
An optical device which allows size and cost reductions and enables simultaneous capture of images taken by a first optical system and images taken by a composite optical system composed of the first optical system and a second optical system. A first optical system is adapted to form a first image. A second optical system is disposed on a subject side of the first optical system, and is adapted to form a second image within the first image formed by the first optical system.
US08031239B2
An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing unit and a key data control unit. The image sensing unit generates image data of a sensed image. The key data control unit generates key data if a user turns on a function of generating authentication data, and erases the key data from the image sensing apparatus if a user turns off the function. The key data is used to generate the authentication data. The authentication data is used to authenticate whether the image data is altered.
US08031226B2
An image output apparatus according to the present invention includes: a moving image constituting image extracting section that extracts a moving-image constituting image from a moving image having a plurality of moving-image constituting images; a moving direction specifying section that specifies a moving direction, in the moving image, of an object included in the moving-image constituting image extracted from the moving image constituting image extracting section based on the change of position of the object in the plurality of continued moving-image constituting images; an image layout section that lays out the moving-image constituting image extracted from the moving image constituting image extracting section in an output area based on the moving direction of object specified by the moving direction specifying section; and an image outputting section that outputs the moving-image constituting image laid-out by the image layout section on the output area.
US08031223B2
A camera including a camera lens, acquisition circuitry receiving images via the camera lens, for acquiring a first field of view when the camera lens is in a first orientation and for acquiring a second field of view when the camera lens is in a second orientation, and a viewfinder displaying the second field of view when the camera lens is in the second orientation and displaying at least a portion of the first field of view at least partially composited with the second field of view.
US08031221B2
In an image forming apparatus including a main assembly and a scanning optical apparatus which is inserted into the main assembly of the image forming apparatus in a substantially horizontal direction and is mounted to the apparatus main assembly, in order to fix the scanning optical apparatus to the apparatus main assembly in a state in which the scanning optical apparatus is inserted at a predetermined insertion position of the apparatus main assembly, a leaf spring member for urging an end of the scanning optical apparatus with respect to an insertion direction of the scanning optical apparatus is provided on the main assembly of the image forming apparatus or the scanning optical apparatus and a cushioning member press-contacting the leaf spring member between the main assembly of the image forming apparatus and the scanning optical apparatus is provided.
US08031218B2
The laser beam output from each of the semiconductor lasers is applied to the same print dot, such as each of the print dots on a thermosensitive recording medium, in such a manner that the laser beams are superimposed on one another sequentially at the same time that each of the semiconductor lasers is moved in the main scanning direction.
US08031217B2
The present invention discloses methods and apparatuses for the separations of IC fabrication and assembling of separated IC components to form complete IC structures. In an embodiment, the present fabrication separation of an IC structure into multiple discrete components can take advantages of dedicated IC fabrication facilities and achieve more cost effective products. In another embodiment, the present chip assembling provides high density interconnect wires between bond pads, enabling cost-effective assembling of small chip components. In an aspect, the present process forms interconnect wires on a thermal decomposable adhesive, and after positioning the wires at proper bond pad locations, releases the interconnect wires onto the bond pads.
US08031216B2
A printer avoids scratching or damaging the platen and print defects caused by adhesive. The printer 1 prints to thermal paper S that has an adhesive area 150 formed on one side with the edges of the paper adhesive-free, and color layers formed on the other side of the paper. The thermal paper S is wound sequentially into a roll so that the other side is on the outside without applying a liner protecting the adhesive area 150 on the one side. The printer 1 has a platen 18, a heating element unit 43, and a guide incline 45. The platen 18 is disposed to a main cover, rotates in the thermal paper S transportation direction, and applies pressure to the thermal paper S from the one side. The heating element unit 43 selectively heats the other side of the paper. The guide incline 45 guides the thermal paper S in a prescribed direction without contacting the area on the back of the adhesive area 150 on the other side of the thermal paper S after the thermal paper S passes the heating element unit 43, and guides the platen 18 to a prescribed position so that the platen 18 does not contact the heating element unit 43 when the main cover is closed.
US08031213B2
There is provided a display control method capable of reducing unnecessary processing and unnecessary power consumption caused by is. The display control method uses an update judgment unit (33) for judging whether a display content has been updated, a characteristic amount extraction unit (36) for obtaining the characteristic amount of the display content, a control unit (20) for the characteristic amount extraction unit (36) to reference the obtained characteristic amount and decide a correction parameter, and a display content correction unit (35) for correcting the display content according to the correction parameter and outputting the corrected display content to a display device (40). When the update judgment unit (33) has judged that the display content is not updated, the control unit (20) cuts off power supply to the characteristic amount extraction unit (36).
US08031212B2
An electronic system includes an electronic display device and a communication port. Each display mode corresponds to a particular position of the communication port relative to a line of sight of a user. In one embodiment, the communication port is an infrared communication port. Each display mode corresponds to a particular display orientation. The electronic display device displays visual data in the particular display orientation corresponding to the display mode of the electronic system. In one embodiment, the electronic system is a palmtop computer system such as a personal digital assistant.
US08031211B2
Techniques for registration of multiple measurement modes of a body include receiving first and second data from different modes. Each includes measured values with coordinate values. For two mechanically aligned modes, any non-rigid registration is performed. For some modes, the non-rigid registration includes a coarse transformation and multiple fine scale transformations. The coarse transformation maximizes a coarse similarity measure. The second data is sub-divided into contiguous sub-regions. Fine transformations are determined between the sub-regions and corresponding portions of the first data to maximize a fine similarity measure. Sub-dividing and determining fine transformations repeats until stop conditions are satisfied. Transformations between the last-divided sub-regions are interpolated. Any of the fine similarity measure, a search region, interpolation method, sub-division location, and the use of rigid or non-rigid fine transformations are adaptive to properties of the first or second data so that the registration is automatic without human intervention.
US08031206B2
A method for generating a presentation of a region-of-interest in an original image for display on a display screen, comprising: establishing a focal region for the region-of-interest at least partially surrounded by a shoulder region; creating a focal region image for the focal region by scaling the original image within the focal region by a focal region magnification; creating a shoulder region image for the shoulder region by scaling the original image within the shoulder region by a shoulder region magnification, the shoulder region magnification being less than the focal region magnification; and, overlaying the focal region image and the shoulder region image on the original image to thereby generate the presentation.
US08031203B2
In an image processing apparatus, a first conversion unit converts, on the basis of an input device profile, input data into first device-independent data expressed by a color space that is independent of an apparatus. A storage unit stores plural conversion profiles for converting using a color appearance model in the color space that is independent of the apparatus in correspondence with plural device characteristics that are dependent on apparatuses. A selection unit selects a conversion profile corresponding to characteristics of the input device, characteristics of an output device, observation conditions of the input data and the output data. A second conversion unit converts, on basis of the selected conversion profile, the first device-independent data into second device-independent data. A third conversion unit converts the second device-independent data into the output data on the basis of an output device profile.
US08031196B2
A display device comprises a display section, a pattern specifying code input section which receives a pattern specifying code externally, a pattern storage section which stores therein an image of a predetermined pattern, and a pattern display processing section which reads out the image of a pattern specified by the pattern specifying code from the pattern storage section and displays the image on the display section. With this arrangement, the load on a host to display an image can be reduced.
US08031192B2
A method for control over the level of detail within a rendered object is provided. The method may be a program embodied on a machine readable medium. The method identifies a set of parent vertices defining a polygon within a rendered object. A child vertex of the set of parent vertices is generated and pushed toward a predetermined location within the anticipated contours of the rendered object. One of the parent vertices is then connected to the child vertex to generate an additional polygon. A graphics engine configured to control a level of detail in a rendered object through the generation of additional polygons in the rendered object is also provided.
US08031187B2
The invention relates to a method of transferring data from a drawing device, which while utilizing a position-coding pattern, printed on a physical page, digitally records handwritten information, to an application in a computer system. The drawing device transfers recorded data to a memory in the computer system. A registering unit in the system determines from a page from which the recorded data originates and activates, on the basis thereof, one or more applications which are registered as “subscribers” to data from this page. When an application is activated and thus informed of the existence of new data relevant to the application, the application fetches this data. The fetching of data can be made on the basis of the contents of a page description which defines the layout of the physical page.
US08031183B2
A touch panel having high durability is provided. Either one or both of a display device and a flexible panel have island-shaped protective bodies formed on surfaces of electrode layers (upper electrode layer, lower electrode layer), and a transparent conductive film is exposed between the protective bodies. Since the protective bodies protrude highly from the surface of the transparent conductive film, when the flexible panel is pressed and the upper electrode and the lower electrode layer are brought into contact, a load to be applied to the transparent conductive film is reduced by the protective bodies, so that the transparent conductive film is not broken.
US08031179B2
A signal line used in a key matrix is shared between a signal line used in a first display unit and a signal line used in a second display unit. Two types of periodical pulse signals are superimposed on a level signal which indicates data displayed on the second display unit. One type is a pulse signal for detecting key input and another type is a pulse signal which indicates data displayed on the first display unit.
US08031178B2
A keyboard apparatus includes a group of switches, a key having a corresponding group of plungers, and a chassis structure including a panel and a post. The post projects upward from the panel to support the key for manual movement pivotally into multiple actuated positions in which the plungers actuate the switches. The panel has a group of apertures through which the plungers are movable into actuating engagement with the switches upon such multi-directional movement of the key.
US08031177B2
An electronic pen for interacting with a substrate having coded data disposed thereon. The pen comprises: an image sensor for sensing the coded data when the pen is used to interact with the surface; a slidably retractable nib for contacting the surface; a processor configured to generate indicating data indicative of the interaction with the substrate; and communication means for communicating the indicating data to a computer system. The image sensor is configured to sense the coded data only when the nib is configured in the extended position.
US08031176B1
An optical navigation apparatus including a package incorporating a light source and a single die of silicon. The single die of silicon includes a photodiode array configured at the detection plane to receive the speckle pattern of the scattered light from the collection optics, circuitry configured to process signals from the photodiode array to determine changes in position of the apparatus relative to the tracking surface, analog circuitry configured to control and drive current through the light source, interface circuitry configured to communicate position data by outputting the position data via a data interface, a microcontroller comprising a processor core and memory for storing computer-readable code and data, and a system bus configured to communicate instructions and data between the microcontroller and said digital, analog, and interface circuitries. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US08031171B2
Upon receipt of operation entry for processing and editing a currently displayed slide, an operation information generating section generates operation information corresponding to this entry. An operation information reflecting section performs editing on the basis of the operation information and stores the operation information regarding the editing in a storage section. Upon receipt of slide data from the server device, the operation information reflecting section reads operation information of the past regarding this slide data, and generates a display screen in such a manner that editing corresponding to the read operation information is reflected in the received slide data. This makes it possible to display slide data stored in the server device on an image display device in a manner that a user wants, without increasing load on the server device.
US08031167B2
A method and circuit for controlling the brightness of a backlight in a display device. The circuit comprises a backlight brightness selecting block that measures the brightness of ambient light and selects brightness information of the backlight based on the measured brightness of the ambient light. An image processing block performs image processing on received image signal based on the measured brightness of the ambient light, and calculates an image processing gain of the received image signal based on the result of image processing and the received image signal. A backlight adjusting unit controls the brightness of the backlight based on the selected backlight brightness information and the image processing gain.
US08031157B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output circuit including a first output unit supplying a first voltage, a second output unit supplying a second voltage, a switching unit selectively outputting, to an output end, the first voltage from the first output unit and the second voltage from the second output unit, a detection unit detecting a voltage of the output end, and a control unit controlling one of the first voltage and the second voltage on the basis of the voltage detected by the detection unit.
US08031153B2
A liquid crystal display for changing a supply sequence of a scanning pulse with which a plurality of gate lines are supplied to realize a one dot inversion, and a driving method thereof are disclosed.In the liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal display panel has a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines, which are crossed each other, and pixels, which are defined by the lines. A gate driver supplies scanning pulses to the gate lines, and changes a supply sequence of the scanning pulses for each frame. A data driver converts digital video data into data voltages and periodically inverts a polarity of the data voltages to supply the data voltages in accordance with a supply sequence of the scanning pulses. And a timing controller supplies the digital video data to the data driver, and controls the data driver and the gate driver, and wherein a polarity of data voltages, which are supplied to the liquid crystal display panel, is inverted for each liquid crystal cell and a polarity of a data voltage which is outputted from the data driver, is inverted for every two to four horizontal periods.
US08031149B2
An image processing method for a liquid crystal display device includes: calculating first difference gradation, which is a difference between predicted attainment gradation and input gradation, the predicted attainment gradation being a predicted value of gradation which respective pixels of the liquid crystal display attain after one frame period after the respective pixels are driven to display a first frame, and the predicted attainment gradation being stored in a storage unit which stores the predicted attainment gradation, and the input gradation being gradation of a second frame which is displayed after the first frame; multiplying the first difference gradation by an enhancement coefficient; calculating enhanced gradation which is a sum of the first difference gradation multiplied by the enhancement, coefficient and the predicted attainment gradation; calculating second difference gradation which is a difference between the enhanced gradation and the predicted attainment gradation; multiplying the second difference gradation by a correction coefficient; and updating the value of the predicted attainment gradation stored in the storage unit based on a sum of the second difference gradation multiplied by the correction coefficient and the predicted attainment gradation.
US08031148B2
A liquid crystal display, apparatus for driving a liquid crystal display and a method of driving gray voltages for the same. The liquid crystal display includes a plurality of gate lines transmitting gate signals, a plurality of data lines intersecting the plurality of gate lines and transmitting data voltages, and a plurality of pixel rows. Each pixel row includes a plurality of pixels, and each pixel includes a switching element connected to one of the plurality of gate lines and one of the plurality of data lines. The polarity of the data voltages supplied to the plurality of pixels are inverted by a pixel group including two or more pixel rows. The absolute values of the data voltages applied to one row of the pixel group with respect to a first predetermined voltage are greater than the absolute values of the data voltages applied to another row of the pixel group for the same grays.
US08031145B2
In a liquid crystal display device which uses an electric field whereby a sufficient reset effect or sufficient overdrive effect is obtained at a lower-limit temperature at which the device is used, but which does not produce bounce at normal temperatures, the electric field applied has an intensity greater than that of an electric field at which a 99% response is obtained, and less than that of an electric field at which a 99.9% response is obtained, between a white image and a black image at the lower-limit temperature at which the device is used. Alternatively, the electric field applied has an intensity greater than that of an electric field at which average tilt angle of the liquid crystal exceeds 81 degrees, and at which average tilt angle does not exceed 85 degrees.
US08031142B1
A circuit for EL panel DC offset correction is provided. The circuit includes components such as an EL panel driver, an error circuit, a pulse width modulation circuit, and a low-pass filter. The low-pass filter performs low-pass filtering on the voltage across the EL panel to provide a low-pass filter output signal. Further, the error circuit receives the low-pass filter output signal and a reference signal, and provides an error signal. The DC bias across the EL panel is adjusted based, at least in part, on the error signal. In this way, DC offset correction is provided based on the negative feedback.
US08031134B2
In the initializing period of each of sub-fields comprising one field, one of all-cell initializing operation and selective initializing operation is performed. The all-cell initializing operation causes initializing discharge in all the discharge cells for displaying an image. The selective initializing operation selectively causes initializing discharge only in the discharge cells subjected to sustaining discharge in the preceding sub-field. Provided in the all-cell initializing period is an abnormal charge erasing part in which application of a rectangular waveform voltage to the scan electrodes causes self-erasing discharge in the discharge cells having excessive wall voltage accumulated therein.
US08031127B2
The semiconductor memory module incorporating antenna includes a wiring board (11) having a connection terminal (17) connected with a control semiconductor element (16) and arranged at a position exposed to the surface of an outer case (15), and a terminal electrode (18) for antenna connection connected with the control semiconductor element (16) and arranged in the outer case (15); a semiconductor storage element (12) mounted on one side of the wiring board (11); and a loop-like antenna (13) and an antenna terminal electrode (20) formed on the other side of the wiring board (11) along the outer peripheral thereof, the wiring board (11) includes at least one magnetic body layer (14) and the terminal electrode (18) for antenna connection is connected with the antenna terminal electrode (20).
US08031124B2
A container includes an electromagnetic coupling module on an inner surface of a container main body and a radiator made of a metal material on an outer surface of the container main body. The electromagnetic coupling module includes a feeder circuit board, on which a radio IC chip is mounted and in which a feeder circuit including a resonant circuit that has a predetermined resonant frequency and includes an inductance element is provided. The electromagnetic coupling module and the radiator preferably transmit and receive high-frequency signals through electromagnetic coupling. The container thus has an electromagnetic coupling module that includes a radio IC chip that is resistant to a shock applied from the outside and an environmental change, realizes an easy arrangement of a radiator and the electromagnetic coupling module, provides a preferable radiation characteristic, and is suitably used in an RFID system.
US08031120B2
Techniques for accurate position location and tracking suitable for a wide range of facilities in variable environments are disclosed. In one aspect, a system for position location comprises a plurality of sensors (e.g. a network monitor, an environment sensor) for generating measurements of a plurality of sources, a plurality of objects or tags, each object generating measurements of the plurality of sources, and a processor for receiving the measurements and generating a position location for one or more objects in accordance with the received measurements. In another aspect, a position engine comprises a mapped space of a physical environment, and a processor for updating the mapped space in response to received measurements. The position engine may receive second measurements from an object within the physical environment, and generate a position location estimate for the object from the received second measurements and the mapped space.
US08031118B2
A phase correction apparatus comprising a storing means configured to store a phase correction value associated with each of a plurality of transmission antennas in which the phase correction value is calculated according to an electrical length of a signal path extending from a signal generator generating a transmission signal to the transmission antenna, and correction means configured to correct a phase of the transmission signal to be supplied from the signal generator to each transmission antenna according to the phase correction value for the transmission antenna stored in the storing means.
US08031111B2
A format for providing messages among GNSS apparatus includes providing a message identification block and a message body. The message identification block includes information specifying a message length and a message type block specifying a message type. Rather than sending all data from one apparatus to another, ambiguous observation data is sent to conserve bandwidth. At the sender a deconstruction of GNSS code and carrier observations using knowledge of the signal structure and constellation geometry, together with simplifications of atmospheric models, allows removal from the observation data of that information which can be implicitly understood or recreated by the recipient. This enables only the necessary information to be packed for transmission to the recipient.
US08031110B2
A method of eliminating user position biases caused by satellite constellation changes or differential signal gain/loss is provided. The method comprises: (A) substantially continuously determining an unbiased user's position by using a radio receiver”; (B) detecting a “detectable event” by using the radio receiver; (C) measuring a bias caused by the detectable event; (D) performing an update process by accumulating each bias caused by at least one detectable event to generate an accumulated bias; and (E) eliminating the accumulated bias at each Epoch by using a correction process.
US08031107B2
An object detection device for a vehicle includes a transmitting-receiving unit, a reflection point computation unit, an object width computation unit, a representative point setting unit, a lateral relative velocity computation unit, a memory unit, and a lateral relative velocity correction unit. The transmitting-receiving unit transmits an electromagnetic wave. The object width computation unit computes a width of the object. The lateral relative velocity computation unit computes a lateral relative velocity. The memory unit records the object as a width-widening static object when the object is a static object and an amount of increase in the width of the object is greater than a predetermined value, based on a detection history of the object detected at each of the predetermined cycle. The lateral relative velocity correction unit corrects the lateral relative velocity, when the object recorded as the width-widening static object is detected at a left end part or a right end part of a detection region.
US08031104B2
A microwave absorber, especially for high temperature applications, has at least one resistive sheet and at least one dielectric layer. The resistive sheet has a material of construction that is a MAX phase material.
US08031098B1
In one embodiment, digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit includes dual DAC units employing pseudo-return-to-zero DAC operations to reduce inter-symbol interference. Moreover, each DAC unit is implemented using complementary MOS transistors to improve conversion performance. In another embodiment, a DAC calibration scheme performs background calibration of an array of DAC circuits in continuous time using a reference DAC circuit and a spare DAC circuit. Calibration (also referred to as “trimming”) of the DAC circuit using the calibration scheme of the present invention ensures that the DAC operates with high linearity over process variations. In one embodiment, the DAC circuit and the DAC calibration scheme are applied as the feedback DAC in a continuous-time sigma-delta (CT-ΣΔ) analog-to-digital converter to realize high performance and high precision analog-to-digital conversions.
US08031093B2
An n bit D/A decoder is formed using P-type and N-type transistor switches, instead of convention CMOS switches. Each P-type and N-type switch may be formed of fewer transistors than those used to form a CMOS switch, thereby reducing the overall transistor count. The decoder may be used to decode digital values to non-linear GAMMA corrected analog output voltages.
US08031088B2
A system for detecting a key with key debounce including a circuit for detecting a key activation; a first counter coupled to the circuit and a clock for testing the key activation for a first user definable number of clock cycles; a key debounce buffer for storing a key index identifying the activated key, if the key activation is valid for the first user definable number of clock cycles; a second counter for testing the identified activated key for a first user definable number of hardware key scan cycles; and a key event buffer for storing a key activation event, if the key activation is valid for the first user definable number of hardware key scan cycles.
US08031087B2
A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which, in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each row contains keys bridging a two-wire bus. Each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a diode to polarize the key, and a resistor to provide a resistive load when the switch is closed and the diode is biased with the current flow. Alternatively, each key has a switch that is closed during key actuation, a timer with an output that goes high after a predetermined time period, and a resistor that provides an identifying load when the switch is closed and the output of the timer is high. Other features of the invention include a linear matrix coupled to a row of keys to allow the row to be scanned by sections and individual keys, and a flexible circuit that provides the electrical pathways for the linear matrix.
US08031071B2
An IC tag label 1A includes an inlet substrate 11; an antenna pattern 2 and an IC chip 3 which are provided on one surface of the inlet substrate 11; and an adhesive layer 6 which is mounted on the other surface of the inlet substrate 11. A release paper 7 is attached to the adhesive layer 6. An opening 12 which serves as a clearance for the IC chip 3 is provided in a portion of the release paper 7 and adhesive layer 6, the portion corresponding to the IC chip 3.
US08031069B2
A tamper-proof electronic security seal which includes a bolt and a locking element and an electronic seal element. The bolt has a head and a hollow shank extending therefrom having a longitudinal bore formed therein. The shank is dimensioned to pass through a lock hasp and has a free end formed for locking engagement with the locking element. The electronic seal element is formed for mechanical connection to the bolt head, and includes an electrical power source, a control unit, communications means responsive to the control unit and a sensor adapted for insertion into the longitudinal bore of the shank, and connected to the control unit. In response to a severing of the shank and the sensor inserted therein, the control unit is operative to activate the communications means to emit an alarm signal.
US08031068B1
An explosive device detection system includes sensors and base station that detect and report on suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or landmine emplacement activity within a geographic area. When disposed within a geographic area, each sensor forms part of a wireless communications network which allows communication among neighboring sensors. As a sensor detects activity in its proximity, such as activity that indicates emplacement of an IED, the sensor transmits a reporting signal through the network to the base station. The neighboring sensors receive and transmit the reporting signal in a sequential manner toward the base station. Because the reporting signal takes multiple hops toward the base station, the sensors do not require large amounts of power to transmit the signal. Furthermore, the detection system allows detection of IED emplacement within the geographic area as the activity occurs. As a result, the base station can direct mobile response units to take immediate responsive action to prevent detonation of the IED's.
US08031067B2
A tracking system includes a global positioning system (GPS) module and a modem for mobile communications both attached to a pet (or other trackee), and a virtual fence (which includes a base station sending a signal to a certain range and a receiver attached to the pet (or other trackee) and receiving the signal sent by a base station when the receiver is within the range of the base station). A portable virtual fence system includes a signal-sending base station, and a signal-receiver worn by a to-be-fenced pet or other trackee. Advantageously, the base station is portable. The size of the virtual fence can be expanded to fit any shaped geometry using signal repeater or transceiver devices. In addition, more than one pet can be tracked using a single virtual fence and base station. Upon confirmation that a trackee has breached the fence and should be tracked, a service center can provide location information of the trackee as well directions to the trackee by voice or transmission of mapping and other imaging displays to the responsible party seeking to locate the trackee. Power management is enhanced by either turning off the power to the tracking devices (e.g., GPS or GSM or other device) after a report, or by dynamically varying the time reports are made without deactivating the tracking devices.
US08031059B2
A system (100) for communicating multimedia messages includes a multimedia message server (102) that is operable to transmit (1404, 1406, 1408) visual media, a vibration melody (1200), and an audio segment (1300) that is preferably filtered (1402) to exclude frequencies of the vibration melody (1200) through a network (104) to a client device (106), and is operable to, preferably at a later time, to transmit instructions (1410) to the client device (106) to output the vibration melody (1200), audio segment (1300) and visual media. At the client device, (106) the audio segment (1300) and the vibration melody (1200) and visual media are preferably stored (1504, 1508, 1512) in a memory (608) and in response to the instruction signal are read (1616, 1518, 1520) from the memory (608), decoded (1522, 1524, 1526) and output (1528, 1530, 1532) to a user. The vibration melody (1200) and the audio segment (1300) are preferably applied at least partially concurrently applied to an electromechanical transducer (212).
US08031057B2
Systems, methods, beds, supports surfaces and machine readable medium for associating beds and support surface of a healthcare facility are disclosed. A surface association system for a healthcare facility may comprise a plurality of beds. The system may further comprise a computing device and a plurality of support surfaces to be placed upon beds of the plurality of beds. The computing device may associate a support surface of the plurality of support surfaces with a bed of the plurality of beds. The computing device may make the association based upon status data received from the plurality of beds and the plurality of support surfaces. The support surface and/or bed to be associated may initiate a surface association request. The computing device, in response to the surface association request, may request performance of one or more actions on the bed and/or support surface to be associated to identify the bed and/or support surface from the beds and support surfaces of the healthcare facility.
US08031055B2
A tag authentication method, and a tag and reader performing the method are provided. The tag authentication method, including: a reader generating a first random number and transmitting the first random number to a tag; the reader receiving a second random number and a first verification value from the tag; the reader computing a second verification value based on the first random number and the second random number; and the reader comparing the first verification value and the second verification value.
US08031045B1
An A/B RF automatic-set-up redundant sensing switch that monitors the relative differences in signal strength of the A and B paths and processes it according to a predetermined logic setting with no manual adjustment. When one of the paths is determined not to match the logic setting, it will switch to the other.
US08031044B2
A switch element (1) for actuating a setting parameter on an electronic microdevice, such as a hearing aid, is characterized by a rotary element (7) having peripherally at least three contact points (9), said contact points being connected to one another in electrically conductive fashion. Furthermore, the switch element has an elastically mounted reset element connected with the rotary element as well as at least two electric leader contacts (3, 5), which can be switched into electrically conducting contact by turning the rotary element via the contact points.
US08031036B2
A resonator cavity for supporting a plurality of resonant modes and filtering electromagnetic energy includes a cavity and a resonator element with a mounting flange. The cavity is defined by a top end wall, a bottom end wall and a sidewall and has a longitudinal axis along its length is defined. The resonator element is positioned within the cavity along the longitudinal axis and includes a mounting flange. The resonator element is only in physical contact with the cavity through the mounting flange at a mounting location and where at least one resonant mode of the electromagnetic energy exhibits a local minima. The dimensions of the cavity and the resonator element are selected so that the associated electromagnetic energy is defined by an electromagnetic field pattern that substantially repeats itself at least twice along the length of the resonator.
US08031031B2
An attenuator includes a T-type two terminal pair network including first and second terminals, first, second and third circuits, wherein the first terminal receives an input signal to be attenuated, wherein the first circuit is connected between the first and second terminals, wherein the second circuit is connected between the first circuit and the second terminal and is connected to the first circuit via a node, wherein the third circuit is connected to the node, and a capacitor connected to the node, wherein the capacitance value of the capacitor is variable.
US08031026B2
An apparatus for generating an oscillating signal including an oscillator configured to generate the oscillating signal, a controller configured to generate a control signal that controls a characteristic (e.g., amplitude or frequency) of the oscillating signal, and a power supply configured to supply power to the oscillator as a function of the control signal. The power supply may be configured to supply power to the oscillator as a function of the amplitude or frequency of the oscillating signal to improve power efficiency.
US08031019B2
Techniques for providing voltage-controlled oscillator circuits having improved phase noise performance and lower power consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is coupled to a mixer or a frequency divider such as a divide-by-two circuit. The VCO includes a transistor pair with magnetically cross-coupled inductors, and variable capacitance coupled to the gates of the transistor pair. In an exemplary embodiment, a frequency divider is configured to divide the frequency of the differential current flowing through the transistor pair to generate the LO output. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a mixer is configured to mix the differential current flowing through the transistor pair with another signal. The VCO and mixer or frequency divider share common bias currents, thereby reducing power consumption. Various exemplary apparatuses and methods utilizing these techniques are disclosed.
US08031015B2
A PLL circuit is disclosed that comprises a controlling unit that switches at a predetermined timing to enable/disable the phase difference signal supplied from the phase comparator to the low pass filter; and a resistor element that is disposed between a predetermined potential and a signal line for supplying the phase difference signal from the phase comparator to the low pass filter, when the phase difference signal is enabled, the oscillation circuit performing oscillation operation based on the voltage signal corresponding to the phase difference signal, when the phase difference signal is disabled, the low pass filter being supplied with the predetermined potential through the resistor element to allow the oscillation circuit to perform oscillation operation based on the voltage signal generated depending on the supplied predetermined potential.
US08031012B2
The objects of the present invention are to shorten a cavity length of an optoelectronic oscillator and to integrate on a semiconductor or SiO2-substrate. An optoelectronic oscillator 10 have an optoelectronic loop comprising a semiconductor laser 11, an optical waveguide 12 guiding laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser, a photodetector 13 detecting laser light guided by the optical waveguide and outputting an electrical signal, an amplifier 14 amplifying the electrical signal outputted from the photodetector, generating an amplified signal and formed on a semiconductor substrate 15. Laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 11 is controlled by generated amplified signal and it oscillates with a fundamental oscillation frequency determined by a delay time of carrier in the optoelectronic loop circuit or one of the high harmonic components of integral multiples of a fundamental oscillation frequency.
US08031007B2
An error predict code is added into a cycle signal for raising precision of an output signal of a time-to-digital (TDC) decoder. A cyclic TDC (CTDC) is specifically designed within a phase-frequency detector (PFD)/CTDC module of an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) for enhancing loop bandwidth calibration of the ADPLL. A calibration method is used on the PFD/CTDC module for enhancing the loop bandwidth calibration of the ADPLL as well.
US08030997B2
A digital pre-distortion system which can provide the flexibility to model the highly non-linear distortion associated with High Efficiency RF Power Amplifiers while through a novel implementation of a least squares estimation process allows an implementation well suited for an FPGA application where limited resources and in particular memory resources are available.
US08030995B2
A power circuit used for an amplifier, which includes an amplifier provided with a linear amplifier serving as a voltage source, a DC/DC converter serving as a current source, a hysteresis comparator controlling the DC/DC converter, and a current detector detecting output current from the linear amplifier to output the detected output current to the hysteresis comparator; and a switching restricting device for restricting a switching interval in the DC/DC converter such that the switching interval is not equal to or less than a constant time or is not shorter than the constant time.
US08030994B2
A driver supplies an output voltage to an inductive load. The driver includes an input to receive a pulse width modulated control signal having a controllable duty cycle within a predetermined range. A first switch circuit receives a first switch signal to supply a first voltage, a second switch circuit receives a second switch signal to supply a second voltage, and the output voltage is the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. An inverter and delay circuit receives the control signal to supply the first switch signal and the second switch signal being inverted and delayed with respect to each other. The delay of the delay circuit is selected to obtain an output voltage having a single polarity for each one of the controllable duty cycles within the predetermined range.
US08030992B2
A low-pass filter of the present invention comprises a plurality of filter units and a regulation unit. The filter units are coupled in series with each other and receive an input signal to filter the input signal for generating an output signal. The regulation unit is coupled to the filter units to regulate voltage levels of the filter units. The low-pass filter of the present invention can be integrated within the integrated circuit and reduce the prime cost.
US08030984B2
The invention relates to an electronic circuit making it possible to extract a clock signal from an incident binary data sequence arriving at a constant rate. The electronic circuit comprises an oscillator (VCO) with voltage-controlled frequency providing a sinusoidal signal, a circuit (R, Cp, RD, I1, I2) for extracting the transition edges of the binary sequence producing a brief pulse at each transition, a sampler (MLT) for tapping off the level of the sinusoidal voltage at the instant of the brief pulse, and an integrator (AOP, R1, C1) for integrating this level in tandem with the successive pulses, the output of the integrator being applied as control voltage to the oscillator with controlled frequency, the output of the oscillator being the desired clock frequency with a slaved phase passing through zero substantially in the middle of the interval between two binary data transitions. Such a circuit is useful in applications for transmitting digital data of serial type, in which the data are received without at the same time receiving a clock signal.
US08030981B2
A semiconductor device includes a latency signal generating circuit for generating a latency signal corresponding CAS latency by measuring a delay amount reflected at a delay locked loop and reflecting the measured delay amount at a read command signal, and a delay locked loop for controlling an internal clock signal applied to the latency signal generating circuit corresponding to the read command and the latency signal. The semiconductor device includes an internal clock signal generating block configured to generate an internal clock signal, a latency generating block configured to generate a latency signal by synchronizing a read command signal with the internal clock signal at a time corresponding to a CAS latency value and a measured delay value, and an input controlling block configured to activate the reference clock signal using an external clock signal in response to the read command signal and the latency signal.
US08030978B2
A soft-start circuit is provided. The soft-start circuit comprises: an input stage, a pump stage, a second resistor and a capacitor. The input stage comprises a first resistor to receive an input voltage to provide a reference current at a first node. The pump stage comprises N current branches connected in parallel each comprising a current source connected to the first node and a switch to transfer the current from the current source to the second node while the switch operates in a connecting state. The switches has 2N connecting modes performed one after another to generate an output current with a gradual increment output current at the second node with 2N current levels; and the second resistor and the capacitor are connected in parallel between the second node and the ground potential to generate an output voltage with a gradual increment with 2N voltage levels according to output current.
US08030969B2
In a dynamic flip-flop circuit with a data selection function, for example, when data having an H value has been selected using a selection signal S0, a first node N1 is L and a second node N2 of a second dynamic circuit 1B is H, so that an output signal Q has an H level. In this case, when none of a plurality of pieces of data D0 to D2 is selected using selection signals S0 to S2, the first node N1 is H, so that the electric charge of the second node N2 is discharged and the output signal Q erroneously has an L level. However, in this case, an output node N3 is H and a fourth node N4 is L, so that an n-type transistor Tr6 of the second dynamic circuit 1B is turned OFF, thereby preventing the second node N2 from being discharged. Therefore, a normal operation is performed while securing a satisfactorily high-speed operation even when none of the pieces of data is selected. This circuit is used in a predetermined circuit, such as, for example, a forwarding path of a data path, a crossbar bus switch, or an input portion of a reconfigurable processing unit.
US08030962B2
Integrated circuits such as programmable logic device integrated circuits are provided that have configuration random-access memory elements. The configuration random-access memory elements are loaded with configuration data to customize programmable logic on the integrated circuits. Each memory element has a capacitor that stores data for that memory element. A pair of cross-coupled inverters are connected to the capacitor. The inverters ensure that the memory elements produce output control signals with voltages than range from one power supply rail to another. Each configuration random-access memory element may have a clear transistor. The capacitor may be formed in a dielectric layer that lies above the transistors of the inverters, the address transistor, and the clear transistor. The inverters may be powered with an elevated power supply voltage.
US08030953B2
A method and device for testing an integrated circuit. The method includes selecting between a shadow latch data retention mode and a shadow latch test mode; performing a first test of an integrated circuit; storing, at the shadow latch if the shadow latch test mode is selected, information representative of a first test-imposed state; performing a second test of the integrated circuit; and generating a test equipment detectable signal if the first test-imposed state differs from a second test-imposed state of the tested latch.
US08030950B2
A method of measuring the capacitance of a capacitive component (21), whereby a digital bridge with two measuring branches generates a first signal (B1) defined by a train of measuring pulses (M) having a frequency (f1) related to the unknown capacitance being measured, and a second signal (B2) defined by a train of reference pulses (L) having a frequency (f2) related to a reference capacitance (CREF) of known value. The time difference (ΔT) between the times (T1, T2) taken by the two measuring branches of the digital bridge to generate an equal number of pulses (Th1, Th2) is calculated. The capacitance difference (ΔC) between the unknown capacitance and the reference capacitance (CREF) is determined as a function of the time difference (ΔT). The unknown capacitance of the capacitive component (21) is calculated on the basis of the reference capacitance (CREF) and the capacitance difference (ΔC).
US08030938B2
An apparatus for imaging a subsurface material traversed by a borehole, the apparatus including an imaging pad deployed by a logging instrument, the pad including a plurality of measuring sets, each measuring set including a first current injector electrode, a second current injector electrode, a pair of sensor electrodes disposed between the first current injector electrode and the second current injector electrode, and an output for coupling to an electronics unit adapted for producing the imaging of the subsurface material.
US08030930B2
A separated coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system has a first partial coil in a first partial casing and a second partial coil in a second partial casing, the first and second partial coils being connected to a connector for connection to the imaging system via a first cable and a second cable, respectively. The coil also has a coupler having a first part disposed in the first partial casing and connected to the first partial coil, and a second part, coupled to the first part, disposed in the second partial casing. The first cable is disposed in the second partial casing, and the second part of the coupler is connected to the connector for connection to the imaging system via the first cable. The signals in the first partial coil are coupled and connected to the cable and the connector via the coupler.
US08030916B2
A sensor system and method of operating such a sensor system for measuring an angle of rotation with an arrangement of at least four magnetic sensors (10, 11, 12, 13), at least four signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33), each one connected to one of the magnetic sensors (10, 11, 12, 13) and having at least two control states, whereby, in a first state (+), a signal received from a sensor (10, 11, 12, 13) is output by the signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33) and, in a second state (−), the inverse of the signal received from the sensor (10, 11, 12, 13) is output by the signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33), a means (90) for adding the signals output by the signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33) and a diametrically magnetized magnetic source (9). The sensor system further comprises a data output (82) and a control circuit (80) with at least one control input (81), allowing to switch the control circuit (80) into at least two different modes. In a normal mode of operation, the signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33) are configured in such a way that a signal corresponding to the angular position of the diametrically magnetized magnetic source (9) is output to the data output. In an alignment mode of operation, the signal modulators (30, 31, 32, 33) are configured in such a way that a signal corresponding to the average magnetic field strength detected by the sensors (10, 11, 12, 13) is output to the data output (82).
US08030913B1
A detector circuit for an operational bandwidth having a center frequency including a diode, a first inductor in series with the diode, a transmission line coupled across the diode on a first end of the transmission line, the transmission line having an impedance and being in length a quarter wavelength of a frequency near the center frequency of the operational bandwidth, and a capacitor coupled across a second end of the transmission line.
US08030907B2
A pulse generator circuit in a DC-to-DC converter may be configured to generate pulses that have a frequency that increases in response to increases in the load on the DC-to-DC converter. The pulse generator circuit may be configured to cause each pulse to have a constant width. When the pulse reaches the end of the constant width and the magnitude of the current through an inductance in the converter is less than a threshold value, however, the pulse generator may be configured to extend the pulse until the magnitude of the current through the inductance reaches the threshold value. The pulse generator circuit may be configured to prematurely terminate each pulse if and at such time as the load voltage exceeds a target value by approximately half of the peak-to-peak voltage of the ripple component plus the noise component margin.
US08030902B2
A method for charging a battery module including a plurality of parallelly-connected battery cell sets in multiple stages is provided. In the present invention, a constant current charging is applied for charging the battery module in an initial stage of charging through the method of voltage control or current control. Then, the charging current is lowered substantially to reduce the charging speed when the voltage of one of the battery cell sets exceeds a safety value or a total voltage of the battery module itself reaches a rated voltage. Accordingly, a safety problem of the battery can be avoided and battery life can be prolonged.
US08030901B2
Provided is an electric energy storage device capable of improving a charging efficiency when electric power supplied with an input current having a current value repeatedly exhibiting peaks and valleys is to be storaged by using a secondary battery and an electric double-layer capacitor. The electric energy storage device includes: an electric double-layer capacitor; and a battery unit including at least one secondary battery, the battery unit being connected in parallel to the electric double-layer capacitor, in which: a ratio of an internal resistance of the electric double-layer capacitor to an internal resistance of the battery unit is determined according to parameters relating to the input current.
US08030891B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for electrically isolating an ambulatory medical device for infusing treatment materials into a patient when the medical device is connected to a peripheral device via an active communication cable. In one embodiment, the ambulatory medical device include first circuitry controlling infusion of a medicament to the patient by a fluid conduit connectable to the patient and second circuitry controlling communications when an active communication cable is connected to the medical device. The first and second circuitry are electrically isolated using a pair of first and second isolation transceivers, where the first pair of isolation transceivers communicate a control signal and the second pair of isolation transceivers are giant magneto-resistive (GMR) transceivers that communicate at least one data signal.
US08030887B2
A non-contact power charging, in which power transmission can be interrupted when foreign materials are deposited on a charge plate of the non-contact power charging system. A charging operation can be continuously maintained at a stable voltage even if a non-contact power receiving apparatus moves by touching or displacement on the charge plate of the non-contact power charging system in the charging operation. Charging efficiency is improved.
US08030882B2
A power supply unit that allows a main battery and an auxiliary battery to be charged by a system power supply is disclosed. The first and second bridge circuits of the power supply unit are each formed of four switching elements. The transformer of the power supply unit has a primary winding connected to the first bridge circuit, and a secondary winding connected to the second bridge circuit. The DC/DC converter of the power supply unit allows the auxiliary battery to be connected to the first and second circuits. The controller of the power supply unit controls the switching elements of the first bridge circuit, the switching elements of the second bridge circuit, and the switching element of the DC/DC converter such that power that has been charged to the main battery is output as an AC voltage having voltage and frequency for electric appliances.
US08030881B2
A battery control system and method for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery for supplying electrical power to a plurality of loads of the vehicle and a controller that receives a battery signal representative of a condition of the battery, an ignition key signal representative of a state of an ignition key of the vehicle, and an engine signal representative of a state of an engine in the vehicle. The controller selectively electrically connects/disconnects the plurality of loads of the vehicle and the battery based on at least one of the battery signal, the ignition key signal, and the engine signal. An interface provides information on at least one of the battery and a connection state between the plurality of loads and the battery.
US08030866B2
A motor drive circuit comprising: first and second transistors connected in series, a voltage of a connection-point therebetween being a drive-voltage applied to one end of a motor coil; an operational amplifier for controlling the transistors such that the drive-voltage is a voltage according to a difference between first and second control voltages; a switch circuit for driving the transistors such that the motor coil is in an undriven state regardless of control by the operational amplifier when a pulse-signal is at one logic level, and driving the transistors based on the control when the pulse-signal is at the other logic level; and an auxiliary drive circuit for driving the transistors to increase the drive-voltage for a predetermined time period shorter than a time period of the pulse signal being at the other level regardless of the control, when the pulse-signal changes from the one level to the other.
US08030856B2
A discharge lamp lighting device has an oscillation control circuit for determining a frequency with time constant of R and C, a L-C series resonant circuit connected to a half bridge or full bridge operating at the frequency and a circuit in which one end of hot cathodes at both ends of a hot cathode type discharge tube are respectively connected to both ends of a resonant capacitor. A capacitor is further connected in series to other ends of filaments at both ends of the discharge tube for lighting. Dimming of tube current is achieved by changing the oscillation frequency with a DC dimming control voltage by use of a variable capacitor or diode for determining the frequency of the oscillation control circuit. By simultaneously changing the tube current and a filament current of the discharge lamp, the tube current is decreased upon dimming and the filament current is increased.
US08030854B2
Waveform management systems and methods for ballasts are provided. The system includes a lamp, a ballast, a first interface, a storage unit, and a processing unit. The processing unit obtains at least one first waveform from the storage unit, and writes the first waveform to the ballast via the first interface. The processing unit transmits an illumination signal to the ballast via the first interface, such that the ballast controls the illumination of the lamp according to the first waveform.
US08030853B1
A circuit includes a driver configured to generate an output for driving one or more light emitting diodes. The circuit also includes a voltage booster configured to boost an input voltage provided to the driver when the voltage booster is coupled to a high-frequency pulsating alternating current (AC) voltage source that provides the input voltage. The voltage booster may include two first diodes coupled in series, two second diodes coupled in series, and first and second capacitors coupled in series. A first input voltage terminal may be coupled between the first diodes, and a second input voltage terminal may be coupled between the second diodes and between the capacitors. The voltage booster may be further configured to provide the input voltage to the driver without boosting when the voltage booster is coupled to a direct current (DC) or low-frequency AC voltage source that provides the input voltage.
US08030849B2
A device and a method for generating a truly pulsed plasma flow are disclosed. The device includes a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a cathode holder, an anode, and two or more intermediate electrodes, the anode and the intermediate electrodes forming a plasma channel expanding toward the anode. The intermediate electrode closest to the cathode may form a plasma chamber around the cathode tip. An extension nozzle forming an extension channel having a tubular insulator along at least a portion of its interior surface is affixed to the anode end of the device.During operation, a voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode and a current is passed through the cathode, the plasma, and the anode. The voltage and current profiles are selected to cause the rapid development of a plasma flow with required characteristics. A substantially uniform temperature and power density distribution of the plasma pulse is achieved in the extension nozzle. Additionally, ozone may be generated in the extension nozzle during the generation of the plasma pulse.
US08030844B2
Provided is a flat panel display which has improved flexibility by using a metal substrate or a conductive substrate, wherein the substrate is protected from external exposure. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the flat panel display. The flat panel display includes a substrate, a first insulator with which one surface of the substrate is covered, a display unit disposed on the other surface of the substrate, and a second insulator with which edges of the substrate are covered to prevent exposure.
US08030842B2
A display device with increased lifespan is presented. The device includes a plurality of thin film transistors, a passivation layer formed on the thin film transistors, a plurality of pixel electrodes formed on the passivation layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistors, and a wall dividing the pixel electrodes. The wall has a main section and an auxiliary section that is lower than the main section. A caved-in section is disposed between the main section and the auxiliary section. An organic layer is formed on the pixel electrodes.
US08030841B2
An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate; an organic light emitting unit formed on the substrate; and a sealing unit which seals the organic light emitting unit, wherein the sealing unit is formed by alternately stacking at least one first thin film and at least one second thin film, the first thin film being formed to surround a portion of the second thin film.
US08030833B2
One embodiment includes forming a nanowire on a substrate from an organometallic vapor. The nanowire is grown during this formation in a direction away from the substrate and is freestanding during growth. The nanowire has a first dimension of 500 nanometers or less and a second dimension extending from the substrate to a free end of the nanowire at least 10 times greater than the first dimension. In one form, the organometallic vapor includes copper, silver, or gold. Alternatively or additionally, the nanowire is of a monocrystalline structure.
US08030832B2
Provided are a method for preparing an electrode system, an electrode system prepared therefrom, and an electric device including the same. The method includes the steps of forming a porous template having nanopores on a first electrode, wherein a diameter of the nanopores is between 5 to nm 500 nm; and forming a rod-type/tube-type second electrode inside the nanopores which are connected to the first electrode, the electrode system prepared therefrom, and an electric device including the same. With the large surface area, the electrode system of the present research improves efficiency and performance of various electric devices. The contrast and respond speed of the electrochromic device can be increased, and the number of electron-hole pairs of a solar cell is increased. The loss of electron-hole pairs is minimized, and charge storage of the supercapacitor and charge respond speed is heightened.
US08030831B1
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug having an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate to another end of the center electrode; an insulator surrounding a portion of the center electrode, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and a jamb nut surrounding the insulator, the jamb nut being aligned with the channel such that a distal end of the jamb nut does not contact the insulator.
US08030829B1
A hybrid piezoelectric composite comprises a layer of a polymer matrix comprising particles of a PZT group in a micro range of dimensions, which is sandwiched between two layers of a polymer matrix comprising particles of a dielectric material in a nano range of dimensions. The materials of both layers are polarized with electrothermal polarization. The polymer matrices of both component composites may comprise high-density polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, or low-density polyethylene. The dielectric material of the first component nanocomposite may be selected from the group consisting of SiO2 and BaTiO3, and the ceramic particles of the second component are made from a piezoelectric ceramic material of a PZT group having a tetragonal structure.
US08030825B2
An apparatus and method is provided to produce energy from movement of a user. At least one pair of plates is utilized to secure an array of cymbal transducers therebetween. The array of cymbal transducers is electrically interconnected with signal conditioning circuitry and power storage member. Electrical interconnections may comprise parallel and/or series connections between ones or groups of the cymbal transducers.
US08030819B2
Disclosed are transverse and/or commutated flux machines and components thereof, and methods of making and using the same. Certain rotors for use in transverse and commutated flux machines may be formed to facilitate a “many to many” flux switch configuration between flux concentrating stator portions having opposite polarities. Other rotors may be formed from a first material, and contain flux switches formed from a second material. Yet other rotors may be machined, pressed, stamped, folded, and/or otherwise mechanically formed. Via use of such rotors, transverse and/or commutated flux machines can achieve improved performance, efficiency, and/or be sized or otherwise configured for various applications.
US08030818B2
A stator coil includes a plurality of copper strands and a layer of high thermal conductivity polymer disposed adjacent at least one of the copper strands. The high thermal conductivity polymer includes a host polymer and a high thermal conductivity filler. The high thermal conductivity polymer improves heat transfer from the plurality copper strands.
US08030817B2
A rotor of a permanent-magnet-type rotating electrical machine of the present invention has a plurality of magnetic poles in point symmetry with respect to a rotation center of a rotor core 2. For each of the magnetic poles, there are arranged a permanent magnet 3 whose product of a coercive force and a magnetizing direction thickness is small and a permanent magnet 4 whose product of a coercive force and a magnetizing direction thickness is large. The permanent magnet 3 whose product of a coercive force and a magnetizing direction thickness is small is irreversibly magnetized by a magnetic field created by a current of an armature coil 21, to change a total linkage flux amount. This realizes a wide-range variable-speed operation of high output, to provide the rotating electrical machine with a wide operating range and high efficiency.
US08030816B2
A rotor (11) is provided with: a main permanent magnet mounting layer (21) having a plurality of main permanent magnets (21a) mounted thereon; a first sub permanent magnet mounting layer (22) having a plurality of first sub permanent magnets (22a) mounted thereon; a second sub permanent magnet mounting layer (23) having a plurality of second sub permanent magnets (23a) mounted thereon; and a phase change mechanism capable, by turning at least either one of the first sub permanent magnet mounting layer (22) and the second permanent magnet mounting layer (23), and the main permanent magnet mounting layer (21) about the rotational axis, of changing the relative phase between the first sub permanent magnet mounting layer (22) and the second permanent magnet mounting layer (23), and the main permanent magnet mounting layer (21).
US08030811B2
A so-called gap winding motor capable of preventing a rotation detector from being affected by noise generated by a stator coil connection portion and decreasing the size and cost is provided. The gap winding motor comprises a stator including a stator core, a plurality of stator coils arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the stator core, a ring-shaped coil connection board configured to connect the plurality of stator coils, and ring-shaped shield patterns provided at both surfaces of the ring-shaped coil connection board. The stator core, the coil connection board, and the shield patterns are encapsulated with resin, and a rotation detector mounting printed circuit board is arranged in a gap located at an inner side of the stator core.
US08030804B2
Provided is a linear motor capable of reducing cogging. The linear motor has a field magnet part 5 having a plurality of permanent magnets 21 arranged to form N and S poles alternately; a core 14 having a plurality of salient poles 14a, 14b and 14c arranged facing the field magnet part 5; and a three-phase coil 16 wound around the salient poles 14a, 14b and 14c of the core 14. At respective sides in the moving direction of an armature having the three-phase coil 16 and the core 14, auxiliary cores 18 made of a magnetic material are provided to sandwich the armature 10. The distance P1 between a center of each auxiliary core and a center of a center salient pole 14b is set to be substantially ¼×(2N+1)×a magnetic pole pitch between N poles of the field magnet part 5 (N: an integer equal to or greater than 1).
US08030803B1
A petroleum dispensing system having a dispenser data distribution system with controllable disconnectors for improving on the conventional wiring that connects dispenser data circuits to the system's site controls. The system includes an emergency stop control system, emergency stop disconnects, data wiring terminals, a circuit for connecting and grouping data signals, and dispenser data disconnect and bypass means.
US08030792B2
Wind turbine system. The system includes a lower wind speed vertical axis wind turbine operatively connected to a first electrical motor/generator and a higher wind speed vertical axis wind turbine operatively connected to at least one second electrical motor/generator. Electrical power from the first electrical motor/generator is directed to the at least one second electrical motor/generator and mag-lev system to cause the higher wind speed turbine to begin turning.
US08030789B2
An wave turbine composed of a omnidirectional turbine (or Double Wind Turbine) that is used with two tanks and a connecting tube between the two tanks. This omnidirectional turbine is placed in the middle of the connecting tube in a vertical axis position. The two tanks are placed a half wave length apart from the center to the center of each tank. Since the two tanks are a half water wave apart, than as water level of one of the tank rises the other water level on the other tank will go to lower and vise versa. This action will cause a back and forward motion of compressed air through the connecting tube. This compressed air will go through the omnidirectional turbine and cause a unidirectional rotation of the omnidirectional turbine. A axle connected to the omnidirectional turbine will transfer the energy to a generator to produce power output.
US08030788B2
A method and system for an engine starter/generator is provided. The starter/generator system includes a three phase squirrel cage induction machine, a three phase inverter/converter electrically coupled to the three phase squirrel cage induction machine. The starter/generator system also includes a bidirectional DC-DC converter electrically coupled to the three phase inverter/converter, and a digital control board configured to sensorlessly determine a rotor angle from a plurality of phase currents to the induction machine during a start mode. During the start mode, logic in the digital control board configures the starter/generator system into a combination of an induction motor, a three phase DC-AC inverter, and a DC-DC boost converter, and during a generate mode, the logic in the digital control board configures the starter/generator system into a combination of an induction generator, a three phase AC-DC converter, and a DC-DC buck converter.
US08030787B2
A flywheel system includes a synchronous reluctance and a permanent magnet generator.
US08030785B2
A shadow mask deposition system includes a plurality of identical shadow masks arranged in a number of stacks to form a like number of compound shadow masks, each of which is disposed in a deposition vacuum vessel along with a material deposition source. Materials from the material deposition sources are deposited on the substrate via openings in corresponding compound shadow masks, each opening being formed by the whole or partial alignment of apertures in the shadow masks forming the compound shadow mask, to form an array of electronic elements on the substrate.
US08030780B2
Semiconductor substrates with unitary vias and via terminals, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes forming a blind via in a semiconductor substrate, applying a protective layer to a sidewall surface of the via, and forming a terminal opening by selectively removing substrate material from an end surface of the via, while protecting from removal substrate material against which the protective coating is applied. The method can further include disposing a conductive material in both the via and the terminal opening to form an electrically conductive terminal that is unitary with conductive material in the via. Substrate material adjacent to the terminal can then be removed to expose the terminal, which can then be connected to a conductive structure external to the substrate.
US08030776B2
A structure includes a semiconductor substrate having semiconductor devices formed on or in the substrate. An interconnecting metallization structure is formed over and connected to the devices. The interconnecting metallization structure including at least one dielectric layer. A passivation layer is deposited over the interconnecting metallization structure and the dielectric layer. At least one metal contact pad and at least one dummy metal structure are provided in the passivation layer. The contact pad is conductively coupled to at least one of the devices. The dummy metal structure is spaced apart from the contact pad and unconnected to the contact pad and the devices.
US08030775B2
A chip assembly includes a semiconductor chip and a wirebonded wire. The semiconductor chip includes a passivation layer over a silicon substrate and over a thin metal structure, a first thick metal layer over the passivation layer and on a contact point of the thin metal structure exposed by an opening in the passivation layer, a polymer layer over the passivation layer and on the first thick metal layer, and a second thick metal layer on the polymer layer and on the first thick metal layer exposed by an opening in the polymer layer. The first thick metal layer includes a copper layer with a thickness between 3 and 25 micrometers. The wirebonded wire is bonded to the second thick metal layer.
US08030770B1
Embodiments include but are not limited to apparatuses and systems including a microelectronic device including a die having an active surface, a conductive pillar formed on the active surface of the die, the conductive pillar having a side surface, and a molding material encasing the die and the conductive pillar, including covering the active surface of the die and the side surface of the conductive pillar. Methods for making the same also are described.
US08030765B2
A configuration terminal for integrated devices includes a first and a second portion structurally independent and connected to respective first and second terminals and it has at least one contact terminal suitable to be selectively connected to such first and second terminals. Also a method configures an integrated device that includes a plurality of address pads and respective supply pins. The method includes: realizing at least one configuration terminal having a first and a second portion structurally independent and connected to at least one contact terminal; providing the contact of such first and second portions with respective terminals; and configuring the device by a short-circuiting of the contact terminal with at least one of said terminals.
US08030761B2
A chip package includes a carrier having a first and a second major surface. The first major surface includes an active region surrounded by an inactive region. The chip package includes contact pads in the active region for mating with chip contacts of a chip. A support structure is disposed on the inactive region of the first major surface. The support structure forms a dam that surrounds the active region. When a chip or chip stack is mounted in the active region, spacing exists between the dam and the chip or chip stack. The spacing creates convention paths for heat dissipation.
US08030759B2
A heat conductive plate structure includes a base metal plate having a seating portion; a coupling layer disposed above the base metal plate around the seating portion; an electric conduction layer disposed above the coupling layer around the seating portion to define a clearance therebetween; a coupling film disposed above the electric conduction layer and the seating portion to define an inner clearance in communication with the clearance of the electric conduction layer and an outer clearance surrounding the inner clearance; a non-weldable material for inserting into the inner clearance and the outer clearance in the coupling film; a heat conduction member disposed on a central portion of the coupling film; an electric conduction member disposed above the coupling film to surround the heat conduction member from an exterior thereof; and a high power element mounted above so as to be in direct contact with the heat conduction member and the electric conduction member simultaneously.
US08030757B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for placing a thermal interface material (TIM) between a die including a backside metallic (BSM) layer including copper (Cu) and a heat spreader having a contact surface including Cu, where the TIM is formed of an alloy including indium (In) and tin (Sn), and bonding the TIM to the die and the heat spreader to form at least one quaternary intermetallic compound (IMC) layer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08030753B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element, an electrode formed on the semiconductor element, and a protective member covering the semiconductor element. The protective member is formed with a through-hole facing the electrode. In the through-hole, a wiring pattern is formed to be electrically connected to the electrode.
US08030747B2
In one embodiment, the stacked package includes a first chip disposed over a package substrate. The first chip has at least one first chip dummy pad, and the first chip dummy pad is not electrically connected to circuits of the first chip. A first dummy bonding wire is connected to the first chip dummy pad and the package substrate. A second chip is disposed over at least a portion of the first chip, and the second chip has at least one second chip bonding pad. A first bonding wire is electrically connected to the second chip bonding pad and the first dummy bonding wire.
US08030743B2
A two tier power module has, in one form thereof, a PC board having upper and lower traces with an opening in the insulating material that contains a power device which has upward extending solder bump connections. An upper leadframe is mounted on the solder bumps and the upper tracks of the PC board. Vias in the PC board connect selected upper and lower traces. A control device is mounted atop the leadframe and wire bonded to the leadframe, and the assembly is encapsulated leaving exposed the bottom surfaces of the lower traces of the PC board as external connections. In another form the PC board is replaced by a planar leadframe and the upper leadframe has stepped sections which make connections with the planar leadframe, the bottom surfaces of the planar leadframe forming external connections of the module.
US08030741B2
One embodiment provides a semiconductor assembly including a printed circuit board and a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a lead frame having a die pad and a plurality of leads spaced from the die pad, a chip attached to the die pad on a front face of the lead frame, at least one electrically conductive structure element mechanically coupled to but electrically isolated from the front face of the lead frame, at least one connector electrically connecting the chip to the structure element, at least one connector electrically connecting the structure element to at least one of the leads, and a mold material encasing the semiconductor package except for an end portion of the leads which are electrically connected to the printed circuit board.
US08030718B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a source region and a drain region, defining a first dimension from the source to drain; and a gate stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate and partially interposed between the source region and the drain region. The gate stack includes a high k dielectric layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a first metal feature disposed on the high k dielectric layer, the first metal gate feature having a first work function and defining a second dimension parallel with the first dimension; and a second metal feature having a second work function different from the first work function and defining a third dimension parallel with the first dimension, the third dimension being less than the second dimension.
US08030713B2
A silicon-germanium non-formation region not formed with a silicon germanium layer and a silicon-germanium formation region formed with a silicon germanium layer are provided in a silicon chip, an internal circuit and an input/output buffer are arranged in the silicon-germanium formation region, and a pad electrode and an electrostatic protection element are arranged in the silicon-germanium non-formation region.
US08030711B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprises: forming a high dielectric gate insulating film in an nMIS formation region and a pMIS formation region of a semiconductor substrate; forming a first metal film on the high dielectric gate insulating film, the first metal film; removing the first metal film in the nMIS formation region; forming a second metal film on the high dielectric gate insulating film of the nMIS formation region and on the first metal film of the pMIS formation region; and processing the first metal film and the second metal film. The high dielectric gate insulating film has a dielectric constant higher than a dielectric constant of silicon oxide. The first metal film does not contain silicon and germanium. The second metal film contains at least one of silicon and germanium.
US08030706B2
A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a device part and a terminal part. The device includes a first semiconductor layer, and second and third semiconductor layers formed on the first semiconductor layer, and alternately arranged along a direction parallel to a surface of the first semiconductor layer, wherein the device part is provided with a first region and a second region, each of which includes at least one of the second semiconductor layers and at least one of the third semiconductor layers, and with regard to a difference value ΔN (=NA−NB) obtained by subtracting an impurity amount NB per unit length of each of the third semiconductor layers from an impurity amount NA per unit length of each of the second semiconductor layers, a difference value ΔNC1 which is the difference value ΔN in the first region of the device part, a difference value ΔNC2 which is the difference value ΔN in the second region of the device part, and a difference value ΔNT which is the difference value ΔN in the terminal part satisfy a relationship of ΔNC1>ΔNT>ΔNC2.
US08030705B2
Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device can provide a trench MOS transistor having an up-drain structure. The semiconductor device can include a first conductive type well in a semiconductor substrate, a second conductive type well on the first conductive type well, trenches formed by removing portions of the second conductive type well and the first conductive type well; gates provided in the trenches with a gate dielectric being between each gate and the walls of the trench, a first conductive type source region and a second conductive type body region on the second conductive type well, the first conductive type source region surrounding a lateral surface of the gate, and a common drain between the gates, the common drain being connected to the first conductive type well.
US08030692B2
A solid state image sensing device in which many pixels are disposed in a matrix on a two-dimensional plane comprises a plurality of light receiving devices disposed in such a way that a center interval may periodically change in a column direction and/or a row direction, and a plurality of micro-lenses, for collecting an incident light of each light receiving device, wherein a center interval periodically changes in accordance with the periodic change of the center interval of the light receiving device.
US08030678B2
In an optical semiconductor device module constructed by an optical semiconductor device having a light emitting portion on its top surface, a mounting substrate adapted to mount the optical semiconductor device thereon, and at least one conductive leaf spring adapted to fix the optical semiconductor device to the mounting substrate and supply power to the optical semiconductor device, the leaf spring is formed by a plurality of rectangularly-shaped terminals, and natural frequencies of at least two of the rectangularly-shaped terminals are different from each other.
US08030669B2
There is provided a highly reliable semiconductor light emitting device even in using for street lamps or traffic signals, which can be used in place of electric lamps or fluorescent lamps by protecting from surges such as static electricity or the like. A plurality of light emitting units (1) are formed, by forming a semiconductor lamination portion by laminating semiconductor layers on a substrate so as to form a light emitting layer, by electrically separating the semiconductor lamination portion into a plurality, and by providing a pair of electrodes (19) and (20). The light emitting units (1) are respectively connected in series and/or in parallel with wiring films (3). An inductor (8) absorbing surges is connected, in series, to the plurality of light emitting units (1) connected in series between electrode pads (4a) and (4b) connected to an external power source. For an example, the inductor (8) is formed by arranging the plurality of light emitting units (1) in a whirl shape.
US08030655B2
A thin film transistor with excellent electric characteristics, a display device having the thin film transistor, and a method for manufacturing the thin film transistor and the display device in a high yield are provided. In the thin film transistor, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, crystal grains that mainly contain silicon and are provided for a surface of the gate insulating film, a semiconductor film that mainly contains germanium and covers the crystal grains and the gate insulating film, and a buffer layer in contact with the semiconductor film that mainly contains germanium overlap with one another. Further, the display device has the thin film transistor.
US08030651B2
To manufacture a micro structure and an electric circuit included in a micro electro mechanical device over the same insulating surface in the same step. In the micro electro mechanical device, an electric circuit including a transistor and a micro structure are integrated over a substrate having an insulating surface. The micro structure includes a structural layer having the same stacked-layer structure as a layered product of a gate insulating layer of the transistor and a semiconductor layer provided over the gate insulating layer. That is, the structural layer includes a layer formed of the same insulating film as the gate insulating layer and a layer formed of the same semiconductor film as the semiconductor layer of the transistor. Further, the micro structure is manufactured by using each of conductive layers used for a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode of the transistor as a sacrificial layer.
US08030649B2
Various techniques for testing multicore processors in an integrated circuit. Each core includes a plurality of registers configured to form at least two scan chains. In one embodiment, a verification unit located in the integrated circuit is electrically coupled to outputs of the scan chains. The verification unit is configured to determine the validity of the outputs of the scan chains and to indicate a malfunction of the integrated circuit if the outputs are determined not to be valid.
US08030643B2
A semiconductor device that can transmit and receive data without contact is popular partly as some railway passes, electronic money cards, and the like; however, it has been a prime task to provide an inexpensive semiconductor device for further popularization. In view of the above current conditions, a semiconductor device of the present invention includes a memory with a simple structure for providing an inexpensive semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. A memory element included in the memory includes a layer containing an organic compound, and a source electrode or a drain electrode of a TFT provided in the memory element portion is used as a conductive layer which forms a bit line of the memory element.
US08030638B2
A compound semiconductor device is manufactured by using a polycrystalline SiC substrate, the compound semiconductor device having a buffer layer being formed on the substrate and having a high thermal conductivity of SiC and aligned orientations of crystal axes. The method for manufacturing the compound semiconductor device includes: forming a mask pattern on a polycrystalline SiC substrate, the mask pattern having an opening of a stripe shape defined by opposing parallel sides or a hexagonal shape having an apex angle of 120 degrees and exposing the surface of the polycrystalline SiC substrate in the opening; growing a nitride semiconductor buffer layer, starting growing on the polycrystalline SiC substrate exposed in the opening of the mask pattern, burying the mask pattern, and having a flat surface; and growing a GaN series compound semiconductor layer on the nitride semiconductor buffer layer.
US08030634B2
A memory array with self-centered diode access devices results from a process in which diodes are formed in the fill material, each diode having a lightly-doped first layer of the same conductivity type as the conductive lines; a heavily doped second layer of opposite conductivity type; and a conductive cap. Self-aligned, and self-centered spacers in the self-aligned vias define pores that expose the conductive cap. Memory material is deposited within the pores, the memory material making contact with the conductive cap. A top electrode is formed in contact with the memory material.
US08030632B2
Provided is a method of controlling multiple beams directed to a structure in a workpiece, the method comprising generating a first illumination beam with a first light source and a second illumination beam with a second light source, projecting the first and second illumination beams onto a separate illumination secondary mirror, reflecting the first and second illumination beams onto an illumination primary mirror, the reflected first and second illumination beams projected onto the structure at a first and second angle of incidence respectively, the reflected first and second illumination beams generating a first and second detection beams respectively. The separate illumination secondary mirror is positioned relative to the illumination primary mirror so as make the first angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum first angle of incidence and make the second angle of incidence substantially the same or close to a calculated optimum second angle of incidence. The first and second detection beams are diffracted off the structure at the corresponding angle of incidence to a detection primary mirror, reflected onto a separate secondary detection mirror and other optical components on the detection path, and onto spectroscopic detectors.
US08030625B2
When writing element shapes of a fine pattern on a substrate applied with a resist by scanning an electron beam thereon, ON/OFF control is performed for emitting the electron beam at a predetermined rotational position of the substrate by a blanking-OFF signal, performing writing in a rotational direction of the substrate along with the rotation of the substrate, and terminating the writing by a blanking-ON signal based on write data to perform writing for one round, and repeating the writing based on the ON/OFF control by moving the electron beam or substrate in a radial direction of the substrate and rotation control is performed for controlling the rotation speed of the rotation stage so as to be increased for inner track writing and decreased for outer track writing inversely proportional to the radius of the writing position.
US08030622B2
A specimen holder is offered which can reduce the amount of chemical sprayed over a specimen consisting of cultured cells. The specimen holder has an open specimen-holding surface. At least a part of the specimen-holding surface is formed by a film and a tapering portion formed around the film. The specimen can be cultured on the specimen-holding surface of the film. The presence of the tapering portion can reduce the amount of used reagent. The specimen can be irradiated via the film with a primary beam for observation or inspection of the specimen. Consequently, the specimen, such as cells, can be well observed or inspected in vivo while the specimen is being cultured. Especially, if an electron beam is used as the primary beam, the specimen can be well observed or inspected in vivo by SEM (scanning electron microscopy).
US08030621B2
An apparatus for producing ions can include an emitter having a first end and a second end. The emitter can be coated with an ionic liquid room-temperature molten salt. The apparatus can also include a power supply and a first electrode disposed downstream relative to the first end of the emitter and electrically connected to a first lead of the power supply. The apparatus can also include a second electrode disposed downstream relative to the second end of the emitter and electrically connected to a second lead of the power supply.
US08030608B2
A backside illuminated imaging device performs imaging by illuminating light from a back side of a p substrate to generate electric charges in the substrate based on the light and reading out the electric charges from a front side of the substrate. The device includes n layers located in the substrate and on an identical plane near a front side surface of the substrate and accumulating the electric charges; n+ layers between the respective n layers and the front side of the substrate, the n+ layers having an exposed surface exposed on the front side surface of the substrate and functioning as overflow drains for discharging unnecessary electric charges accumulated in the n layers; p+ layers between the respective n+ layers and the n layers and functioning as overflow barriers of the overflow drains; and an electrode connected to the exposed surface of each of the n+ layers.
US08030578B2
The present invention is an electrode 10 so provided as to be soldered to an electronic component 12 and, when the electronic component 12 is mounted on a substrate 13, soldered to the substrate 13. The electrode 10 includes a column-like electrode body 11 soldered to the electronic component 12 and to the substrate 13. The electrode has grooves as an air discharging device discharging the air 15a in air voids 15 generated within the solder 14 between joint surfaces 11a, 11b of the electrode body 11 and the electronic component 12 or the substrate 13 when the electrode body 11 is soldered to the electronic component 12 or the substrate 13.
US08030576B2
A wired circuit board includes an insulating base layer, a conductive pattern formed on the insulating base layer and including a wire and a terminal portion, an insulating cover layer formed on the insulating base layer and having an opening portion to expose the terminal portion, and a metal thin film including a protecting portion interposed between the wire and the insulating cover layer, and an exposed portion formed continuously from the protecting portion on a peripheral end portion of the terminal portion exposed from the opening portion.
US08030573B2
A cable-clamping device, in particular for household appliances, including a base having a through seat for accommodating at least one electrical cable; and a clamping element progressively insertable in the seat in a first direction transversal to the seat and defined in use by an axis laying on a longitudinal symmetry plane of the clamping element, for clamping in use the cables against a bottom wall of the seat; the clamping element being delimited between a first and a second ends of the clamping element by a first and a second lateral flanks of the clamping element essentially parallel to the symmetry plane and by an upper face essentially parallel to the lateral flanks, the first and the second ends being provided with a coupling device to the base comprising a snapping retaining device made at the second end and an insertion seat for at least one removable tightening element.
US08030570B2
An integral, unitary cover assembly for covering an electrical connection between first and second electrical cables each having a primary conductor and a neutral conductor includes an inner elastomeric sleeve, an outer elastomeric sleeve and an integral jumper assembly. The inner sleeve defines a cable passage to receive the electrical connection and the primary conductors of the first and second cables. The outer sleeve surrounds the inner sleeve. The jumper assembly includes an electrically conductive jumper conductor, a first jumper connector and a second jumper connector. The jumper conductor is interposed between the inner and outer sleeves and has first and second opposed ends. The first jumper connector is mounted on the first end of the jumper conductor and is configured to mechanically and electrically couple the neutral conductor of the first cable to the jumper conductor. The second jumper connector is mounted on the second end of the jumper conductor and configured to mechanically and is electrically couple the neutral conductor of the second cable to the jumper conductor.
US08030569B2
Multiple semiconductor elements in a semiconductor module in which multiple spherical light receiving or emitting semiconductor elements are installed can easily be retrieved, reused, or repaired. In a semiconductor module 60, two segment modules 61 are serially arranged in a storage casing 62. The segment modules 61 are each formed by molding solar battery cells 10 arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and columns, and a conductive connection mechanism serially-connecting the solar battery cells 10 in each column and parallel-connecting the solar battery cells 10 in each row in a synthetic resin with connection conductors 67 protruding at the ends. Conductive corrugated springs 70 and external terminals 76 are provided at the ends of the storage casing 62. The mechanical pressing force of the conductive corrugated springs 70 ensures that the two segment modules 61 are serially connected.
US08030550B2
The invention provides broccoli seed and plants that combine high yield and quality with tolerance to hollow/split stem disorder. The invention further provides seed and plants of the broccoli lines designated BRM53-3915 and BRM53-3916 and progeny produced with at least one of these plants as a parent. The invention also relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of hybrid broccoli variety RX05951180.
US08030545B2
DNA constructs comprising a first DNA segment that corresponds to at least a portion of a gene in the monolignol biosynthetic pathway, a spacer DNA segment, and a second DNA segment that is complementary to the first DNA segment can be used to reduce or modulate the lignin content in plants. In some embodiments, DNA constructs comprise at least a portion of a gene for 4CL, C3H, CCR, C4H or CCoAOMT. Vascular-preferred and constitutive promoters can be used to drive expression of the constructs.
US08030540B2
The invention provides transgenic corn seed, which expresses a gene encoding a double mutant of the E. coli glgC gene in endosperm plastids, wherein the mutant protein has a proline to aspartic acid substitution at amino acid 295 and a glutamic acid to lysine substitution at amino acid 296. The transgenic corn seed of the invention is characterized by enhanced levels of a number of amino acids and oil, when compared to isogenic corn seed, which does not express the transgene in an endosperm plastid. However, the amount of starch in the transgenic corn seed of the invention is decreased or unchanged when compared to the amount of starch in the isogenic control corn seed.
US08030537B1
The present invention relates to a method for recombinant manufacturing of substances, wherein cells are transformed suing a nucleotide sequence coding for the substance, the transformed cells are subjected to a cloning process, and the cells obtained in this fashion are introduced into a host organism. The present invention relates in particular to the use of the method in the production of recombinant proteins, cells and tissues. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method, wherein the cells of an individual are isolated, said sells are introduced into an immunoincompetent animal for further growth and the cells, tissue and/or organs cultivated in the animal are again isolated and introduced into an individual.
US08030532B2
A method for the production of styrene comprising reacting toluene and syngas in one or more reactors is disclosed.
US08030531B2
2,3-dichlorobutadiene-1,3 of high purity is produced from 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobutane by a process comprising the steps of dehydrochlorination, chlorination of the reaction product obtained in the dehydrochlorination step and subsequent separation of a 2,3-dichlorobutadiene-1,3 composition from the reaction product of the chlorination step.
US08030526B2
Isotopically labeled formaldehyde (*C§H2O) is prepared from labeled methyl iodide (*C§H3I) by reaction with an oxygen nucleophile having a pendant leaving group. The mild and efficient reaction conditions result in good yields of *C§H2O with little or no *C isotopic dilution. The simple, efficient production of 11CH2O is described. The use of the 11CH2O for the formation of positron emission tomography tracer compounds is described. The reaction can be incorporated into automated equipment available to radiochemistry laboratories. The isotopically labeled formaldehyde can be used in a variety of reactions to provide radiotracer compounds for imaging studies as well as for scintillation counting and autoradiography.
US08030524B2
Described are 2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentane derivatives of formula 1 wherein R1 is methyl or ethyl; and R2 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. The invention furthermore relates to a method of their production a to fragrance compositions comprising them.
US08030511B2
Organic nitrites can be produced from a compound which is a mono/polyhydric alcohol or an aldehyde- or ketone-derivate thereof after de-aeration of the same, using NO gas, and stored in an environment saturated with gaseous NO. Organic nitrites produced according to the invention exhibit less impurities and improved storage stability compared to conventionally produced nitrites. The organic nitrites of the invention can easily be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and have utility for the treatment of various conditions.
US08030508B2
The present invention relates to an organosilicon porous zeolite, preparation of the same, and use of the same. The organosilicon porous zeolite of the invention has the following composition on molar basis: (1/n)Al2O3:SiO(2-m/2):mR:xM, wherein n=5 to 1000, m=0.001 to 1, x=0.005 to 2, R is at least one selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl and phenyl and connected to a silicon atom in the framework of the zeolite, and M is an organic amine templating agent, wherein a solid Si29NMR spectrum of the zeolite has at least one Si29 nuclear magnetic resonance peak in the range of from −80 to +50 ppm, and wherein a X-ray diffraction pattern of the zeolite exhibits diffraction peaks corresponding to d-spacing of 12.4±0.2, 11.0±0.3, 9.3±0.3, 6.8±0.2, 6.1±0.2, 5.5±0.2, 4.4±0.2, 4.0±0.2 and 3.4±0.1 Å. The porous zeolite can be used as an adsorbent or as a component of a catalyst for the conversion of an organic compound.
US08030507B2
The present invention relates to novel tin amino-alkoxide complexes and a method for preparing the same, precisely novel tin amino-alkoxide complexes represented by formula 1 and useful as a precursor for tin and tin oxide thin films and a precursor for the production of nano-sized tin and tin oxide particles and a method for preparing the same. In formula 1, A is linear or branched (C2-C10) alkylene substituted or not substituted with halogen; R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched (C1-C7) alkyl substituted or not substituted with halogen. Sn[O-A-NR1R2]2 [Formula 1]
US08030502B2
This invention provides 4-amino-1-(pyridylmethyl)piperidine and related compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds; and methods for treating disease conditions mediated by muscarinic receptors, such as overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using such compounds.
US08030500B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutical compositions. In addition, the present invention relates to therapeutic methods for the treatment and/or prevention of Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome, β-amyloid angiopathy such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy or hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment such as but not limited to MCI (“mild cognitive impairment”), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.
US08030498B2
A benzoylpyrazole compound represented by the formula (I) or its salt, useful as herbicides and intermediates thereof.
US08030487B2
Compounds having the general structure (A) are provided. The compounds of the invention are capable of inhibiting kinases, such as members of the Src kinase family, Vegfr and various other specific receptor and non-receptor kinases.
US08030486B2
The present invention provides with a process of preparing an optically active succinimide derivative, which is a key intermediate for production of ranirestat. A compound (3) is easily prepared by treating the derivative of succinic acid diester of the formula (2): wherein R1 is an amino group protected with a group removed by hydrogenolysis or a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group and R2 is an ethyl group optionally substituted with one or two methyl group(s) at α-position, provided that R2 is not a tert-butyl group when R1 is a tert-butoxycarbonylamino group; with alkali metal alkoxide and the compound (3) can be an important intermediate for production of ranirestat.
US08030481B2
Exemplary embodiments of this invention encompass a method for purifying a substantially crude stevioside, methods for preparing polymorphic and amorphous forms of stevioside, and the polymorphic and amorphous forms prepared therefrom.
US08030479B2
Disclosed is a method of separating small RNAs of 200 nucleotides or less from larger RNAs on a solid support, using a kosmotropic salt of different concentrations.
US08030478B2
The present invention relates to a method for nucleic acid replication and novel artificial base pairs.The method of the present invention for nucleic acid replication is characterized in that a deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphate, in which the hydroxyl group of phosphoric acid at the γ-position is substituted with a group selected from the group consisting of an amino group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a mercapto group and a fluoro group, is used as a substrate during replication reaction. The novel artificial base pairs of the present invention are characterized in that 7-(2-thienyl)-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (Ds) or an analog thereof forms a base pair with pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (Pa) or an analog thereof.
US08030473B2
A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.
US08030467B2
The present invention provides 5′-modified bicyclic nucleoside analogs and oligomeric compounds comprising at least one of these nucleoside analogs. In preferred embodiments the nucleoside analogs have either (R) or (S)-chirality at the 5′-carbon. These bicyclic nucleoside analogs are useful for enhancing properties of oligomeric compounds including for example enhanced nuclease resistance.
US08030458B2
An IgG1λ monoclonal antibody to the immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus has improved properties. In particular, this monoclonal antibody, designated 1H6, has reduced cross-reactivity to several tacrolimus metabolites. This antibody is suitable for performance of immunoassays such as homogeneous immunoassays to detect or determine the presence or concentration of tacrolimus in samples such as blood samples. The invention further includes derivatives of tacrolimus derivatized at a non-binding portion of the molecule useful in immunizing antibody-producing animals and in producing such monoclonal antibodies, as well as labeled derivatives of tacrolimus useful as tacrolimus analogues in such assays. The invention further includes immunoassay methods for the detection of tacrolimus and test kits useful in performing such immunoassays.
US08030457B2
Antigen binding proteins that interact with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) are described. Methods of treating hypercholesterolemia and other disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of PCSK9 in a sample using an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described.
US08030456B2
Disclosed are immunogenic Nogo receptor-1 polypeptides, Nogo receptor-1 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. Also disclosed are compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Nogo receptor antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same.
US08030453B2
The present invention relates to a G-protein coupled receptor and a novel ligand therefor. The invention provides screening assays for the identification of candidate compounds which modulate the activity of the G-protein coupled receptor, as well as assays useful for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease or disorder related to the dysregulation of G-protein coupled receptor signaling.
US08030448B2
Disclosed is a peptide trimer in which three peptides of the same chain length having a repeating unit as a fundamental structure represented by the formula: -(-Gly-X-Y-)- wherein X and Y each represent any amino acid residue are tethered to one another such that they are shifted relative to one another in the backbone direction. The peptide trimer is capable of forming a polypeptide having a collagen-like triple helix structure. A method of producing the peptide trimer of the invention and a collagen-like molecular aggregate having a triple helix structure comprised of the peptide trimer unit of the invention are also provided.
US08030444B2
Peptides representing sequences from region 45-74 of the human CD38 leukocyte surface antigen (SEQ ID NO:1) are provided which may be used to inhibit or prevent transmission or replication of the HIV virus. The peptides have from 13 to 30 amino acids and include the amino acid sequence GPGTTK (SEQ ID NO:18) for topical application to inhibit or prevent transmission of the HIV virus.
US08030441B2
A loose mixture formed of one or more solid inert materials and a hardenable resin dissolved in an organic solvent, in particular the remainder of the initial mix used for the manufacture of conglomerate stone sheets, is rendered inert by means of dielectric heating at a frequency of less than 300 MHz. A plant for implements a method where a loose mixture is formed of one or more solid inert materials and a hardenable resin dissolved in an organic solvent, in particular the remainder of the initial mix used for the manufacture of conglomerate stone sheets, is rendered inert by means of dielectric heating at a frequency of less than 300 MHz.
US08030434B2
The present invention relates to a polyester film produced by melt-extruding a polyester composed of a dicarboxylic acid unit and a diol unit, wherein 1 to 80 mol % of the diol unit is a unit containing a cyclic acetal skeleton, and the polyester film has an in-plane retardation of 20 nm or less at a wavelength of 550 nm. The polyester film is an optically isotropic polyester film which is easily produced by an extrusion-molding method and has an economical advantage. The polyester film is useful for production of optical members or optical products such as phase difference films, protective films for polarizing plates, light diffusion films, lens sheets, anti-reflection films and optical information recording media.
US08030433B2
Tailorable polyimide resin systems suitable for processing by resin transfer molding (RTM) and resin infusion (RI) methods. An exemplary resin system includes first and second prepolymer components present in respective amounts to provide the desired processibility. The cured polyimide system exhibits high glass transition temperature and other properties required for gas turbine engine applications. The first and second prepolymer components independently comprise a monomeric mixture or a reaction product of a diamine component, a dianhydride component, and an end group component.
US08030411B2
Embodiments of the disclosed polymer composition comprise a first unsaturated polymer or polymer precursor, and an effective amount of a peptizer. The peptizer typically comprises a heteroaryl or a heterocyclic compound, other than morpholine as disclosed in assignee's prior applications. Disclosed polymer compositions are useful for making sports equipment, such as at least one layer of a golf ball, often a core. Because the compositions are useful for making golf balls, materials commonly known for making such golf balls can be used in combination with the polymer composition. A method for forming a golf ball also is disclosed. The method comprises providing disclosed compositions and then forming at least one component of a golf using the composition.
US08030410B2
Provided is a method comprising reacting the anionic living end of a polymer that is end capped with a steric hindering compound with a carbonyl-containing compound to produce a polymer with a homolytically cleaveable group. An engineered plastic may then be produced by adding the polymer containing a homolytically cleavable group to a solvent comprising at least one vinyl monomer; (b) optionally adding at least one additional inert solvent; (c) optionally adding additives selected from the group consisting of extender oils, modifiers, and antioxidants; and (d) initiating polymerization of the at least one vinyl monomer by the use of an initiator and/or heat, wherein a free radical is produced from the polymer containing a homolytically cleavable group.
US08030406B2
This invention relates to a rubber composition having a high storage modulus (G′) and a low loss tangent (tan δ), and more particularly to a rubber composition comprising 2 to 60 parts by mass of a low-molecular weight aromatic vinyl compound-conjugated diene compound copolymer (B) having an aromatic vinyl compound content of 5 to 80% by mass, a vinyl bond content in a conjugated diene compound portion of 5 to 80% by mass, a weight average molecular weight as measured through a gel permeation chromatography and converted to polystyrene of 5,000 to 500,000 and at least one functional group based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component (A) composed of at least one of natural rubber and synthetic diene-based rubbers.
US08030405B2
A blend composition comprises a fluorine-containing polymer electrolyte and a fluoro-rubber. An electrolyte membrane may be prepared from the blend composition. The electrolyte membrane may be used in electrochemical cells such as electrolyzers, batteries and fuel cells.
US08030389B2
A thermal insulation composition comprising: aqueous base; one or more primary viscosifier comprising a quantity of clay; and, an amount of one or more polymeric viscosifier comprising sulfonate moiety.
US08030387B2
Golf balls comprising a core and a cover are disclosed. The core is a dual- or multi-layer core, wherein at least one layer is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber and a benzoquinone. The core layer formed from such rubber composition has a positive hardness gradient such that the difference between the layer's outer surface hardness and inner surface hardness is 5 Shore C units or greater.
US08030378B2
The present invention provides a silica-containing heat curing silicone rubber compound composition which can be produced safely and hardly suffers from inclusion of foreign substances. More specifically, when (A) 100 parts by weight of a polyorganosiloxane base polymer and (B) 1 to 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing silica are mixed together, (C) 0.05 to 80 ppm of an ionic liquid whose anionic component is bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide is added thereto.
US08030377B2
A self-leveling cementitious mixture with excellent flow properties and which hardens with a controlled rate of strength development to an ultra-high compressive strength composite composition for use in making articles such as cementitious armor panel with ballistic and blast resistant properties including: a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture, in the absence of silica flour, of inorganic cement binder, inorganic mineral filler having a particle size of about 150-450 microns, pozzolanic mineral filler, polycarboxylate based self-leveling agent and water. The cementitious mixture may include alkanolamine, such as triethanolamine, and acid or acid salt, such as tartaric acid. The cementitious composition may be reinforced with reinforcing fibers, e.g. glass fibers, in an amount of about 0.5-6.0% by volume of the overall cementitious composition. The fibers are uniformly dispersed in the cementitious composition before it is cured to form a final cementitious armor panel.
US08030373B2
Provided is a pigment distribution system. The pigment distribution system includes a pigment encapsulated by physically adsorbing a diblock copolymer to the pigment. The diblock copolymer is represented by Formula 1 below: where -A- denotes a hydrophilic monomer, -B- denotes a hydrophobic monomer, m denotes an integer ranging from 1 to 10, and n denotes an integer ranging from 3 to 30, wherein hydrophilic monomers of neighboring diblock copolymer chains are crosslinked using a crosslinker.